SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO LOOK INTO PLIGHT OF M'SIAN INDIANS WITHOUT BIRTH CERT, IC

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Najib
Tun Razak has asked the Home Ministry to set up a special task force to look
into the matter of the 20,000 to 30,000 Malaysian Indians who still do not have
identification cards (ICs) or birth certificates.


However, he added that it would take time for the government to identify
these people due to the immense number involved.

"An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 Malaysian Indians do not have ICs or birth
certificates. I have asked the Home Affairs Ministry to solve this problem
provided they are genuine Malaysians, not Indians from India hiding in
Malaysia," he said at the opening of the Deepavali Bazaar in Brickfields here
Thursday.

"It will take time for the problem to be solved. But rest assured the
BN government is committed to solving this issue," said Najib to a thunderous
applause from the gathered Brickfields community.

The country's second highest executive who was honored with 25 'bunga
malai' (flower garlands) at the event, also reminded Malaysians that the
nation's fundamental pillars lies in its united multi-ethnic society.

"In Malaysia, we can celebrate various occasions. We not only celebrate our
own religious festivals but open them to other races as well. This is a great
heritage that must be preserved. It is was what makes us special and
unique.

"I invite all Malaysians to return to the original struggle of our
forefathers not matter what race you are. There must be mutual respect for each
other and we should not say or do anything that can hurt the feelings of others.

"These are the fundamental pillars of Malaysia, we can make it (Malaysia)
great and beautiful because Malaysia belongs to us all. Unity is the backdrop
of our strength," reminded Najib.

He then stated his full support for Kuala Lumpur City Council (Dewan
Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur -DBKL)'s plan to develop Brickfields into Little India as
per the Kuala Lumpur City Plan, although he would leave the minute planning to
the experts.

Federal Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique stated that this year's
22-day Brickfields Deepavali Bazaar had seen around 2000 to 3000 visitors on a
daily basis with the number reaching up to 10,000 visitors during weekends
during his speech at the function.

As for Zulhasnan's deputy, M Saravanan personally thanked the Deputy
Prime Minister for attending the function as it was a historic moment since this
was the first time a Deputy Prime Minister launched the Bazaar.

-- BERNAMA