In a statement, Santiago compared Budget 2018, tabled by Prime Minister Najib Razak last Friday, to efforts made by the Selangor government to improve the socio-economic status of Indians in the bottom 40 (B40) category.
“It’s clear that a strong political will and sustained financing are crucial to alleviate the sufferings of poor Indians in this country.
“The fact that they remain destitute after six decades of policies and budget allocations by the ruling government is very telling,” he said.
Santiago said in his budget speech, Najib had announced RM50 million for entrepreneurship, RM50 million for socio-economic development, RM1.5 billion for investment funds and a 7% intake in government jobs and public universities.
RM50 million was also allocated for the Socio Economic Development of Indian Community (Sedic).
However, while the Indian entrepreneurship programme sounded good, Santiago said the government had yet to show tangible results as to how many had benefitted from previous allocations.
Likewise, he said, Sedic should show how past allocations had empowered Indians from the B40 category.
“Najib must also explain why the money for Sedic has been reduced over the years, from RM80 million to RM50 million for 2018.
“And the irony is that the RM1.5 billion investment scheme will only benefit middle-class Indians, as they are the ones with the money to invest,” he added.
This was in contrast to Selangor’s programme, the first phase of which was launched earlier this year and the second of which began two days ago.
Under this programme, he said, a series of workshops was held to train participants in skills such as tailoring, baking, digital marketing, photography and graphic design.
A total of 420 participants were being trained, all of whom would have access to interest-free hijrah loans to kick-start their businesses, he added.
Santiago said the programme had been approved “instantly” by Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, who also pumped in an initial fund of RM1 million.
“In direct contrast, Najib’s budget comes with more stimulus programmes to boost growth and is aimed at shoring up support ahead of the general election – in short an election budget.”
Santiago also said the 7% intake in government jobs and public universities announced in Budget 2018 was “copied” from a proposal he had made during a programme to look at Indian poverty in Petaling Jaya three months ago.
“In reality, this has been the demand of the Indian community and it has taken the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government ten to fifteen years to make it happen. If anything, this is a victory to the people.
“The key to a successful budget lies in its implementation. The Selangor government’s programme, in direct contrast, clearly shows how Indian women and men have benefitted.”