Political parties representing the Indian community in Malaysia should consolidate and work together for its better development and representation in national politics, Prime Minister Najib Razak has said.
Razak said Indians, who constitute nearly 8 per cent of the country's population, was represented by more parties as compared to other races.
"This makes it difficult for the government to undertake specific programmes to help the community," he said.
"Even though this is easier said than done, I am a great advocate for the consolidation of the Indian parties, so that we can ensure the political representation of the Indian community will be more effective in the future," Razak said during the Indian Progressive Front's (IPF) 22nd annual conference in Serdang, reported official news agency Bernama.
Razak is the chairman of Barisan Nasional (BN) of which People's Progressive Party (PPP) and the MIC are components. The PPP and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) represent the interests of Indians in Malaysia.
The other Indian parties in the country include Makkal Sakti and Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP).
Najib asked the 1,200 IPF delegates present at the conference to continue their efforts to increase support among the Indian community.
Najib said his government was sincere in its efforts to help the community.
Indians make up a disproportionately large percentage of the Malaysian professional workforce per capita, particularly in the field of medicine.
