Zahid said the transformation of the Indian community’s educational, political and socio-economic status had become the government’s priority, with a focus on education as this would help improve their economic well-being.

“Malaysia will not become a developed nation without focusing on education for all races and ethnic groups in the country,” he said at a cheque presentation ceremony for special maintenance allocation for National Type Tamil Schools (SJKT) 2017, here today.

The event at the Bahasa Melayu Campus of the Teaching Education Institute was also attended by Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid and Health Minister S Subramaniam, who is also MIC president.

Saying the progress enjoyed by the Indian community was the result of the government’s concern for their welfare, he added,  “The progress achieved has brought the Indian community closer to the government. When the big day (general election) comes, go out and fulfil your responsibility by giving the mandate for the progress of the race and the country.”

Some RM25 million of the RM50 million in the Phase One Allocation Fund 2017 has been distributed to 157 government SJKTs nationwide.

Currently, there are 524 SJKTs nationwide, of which 367 are government-aided schools and 157, government schools.