MIC Will Sink Or Swim With BN, Says Subramaniam

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- The MIC will sink or swim with the Barisan Nasional (BN), said Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S Subramaniam.

"As far as the MIC is concerned we are very clearly with the BN. Live or die, sink or swim, MIC stands with BN. We have been together for so many years and we have the strength to go through this struggle," he told reporters after launching the Temple of Fine Arts' "Pesta Ria" here Saturday.

He said that he expected BN politcians to have principles and not be easily swayed to cross over to opposition parties especially with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de factor leader openly inviting them to jump ship.

On his new post as Human Resource Minister, he said that he looked forward to solve problems pertaining unemployment especially amongst the Indian community.

"Through the Ministry, I plan to ensure that Indian youths get the right kind of training so that they will be in high demand in the market place," he said.

As for human rights issues concerning foreign workers voiced by Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) and the Malaysian International Federation For Human Rights (FIDH), the minister said he was aware of their recommendations made on Friday.

"We will be looking into this issue. For these workers, it is our responsibility to give them good and fair working conditions and ensure that they get their due rights," he said.

Dr Subramaniam added that with regard to India's concern about the welfare of its foreign workers within the country, a memorandum he was preparing on the matter was in the final stages.