Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo urged parents to ensure that their children made full use of facilities provided for by the state government such as the Kolej Industri Pendidikan Negeri Selangor (Inpens).

"There is very little participation from Indians in the college at only 10 people. So we want the MIC to explain to the rakyat that the college will give students an edge in the job market," he said today.

"Fifty-five per cent of Selangor's economy now depends on the manufacturing and service sectors which will replace agriculture as the main sector," he told reporters after launching the Plantation and Mine Workers Seminar 2003 here.

The Selangor government was well aware of issues relating to the Indian community and had allocated RM300 million as subsidy for land owners to build low-cost houses for former employees, he said.

The state government also allocated a piece of land to build an Indian cultural centre in Batu Caves to promote the community's cultural heritage to visitors.

A sum of RM3 million was also made available to repair temples and help in the spiritual development of Indians. However, he said permission must be obtained before building new houses of worship to avoid untoward incidents.

A total of 1,500 participants attended the seminar organised by the state government.

Three working papers were tabled - Dealing with Social Problems Among the Indian Community by Klang OCPD ACP A.Paramasivam; Guidelines on Application for Temples in Selangor by Siva Sri Muthu Kumaral Gurukhal of the Hindu Sangam; and Community Development through Education by Dr N.S. Rajendran from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Cognitive Sciences and Human Development Faculty.

Source: Bernama - July 27, 2003