Why Not Visit Rumah Keluarga Kami Ramanan

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Assisting community-driven institutions must be part of the government’s agenda to uplift vulnerable segments of society.
From Vincent Arasu
For the past week or so, a war of words has been playing out in public between two national personalities from the Indian community.
At one end, deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister R Ramanan has been highlighting the many benefits the Indian community has received, thanks to the Madani government’s emphasis on inclusivity.
In particular, he cites how over RM500 million has been channeled to the Indian community through his ministry.
DAP stalwart Charles Santiago, however, has taken a contrasting view, saying non-Malays, including the Indians, were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the government.
Both were trying to explain why PAS appears to be reaching out to the Indians as it prepares for the 16th general election.
In short, Ramanan claims PAS is acting out of desperation. Santiago, on the other hand, believes Perikatan Nasional can “smell” Putrajaya and is trying to secure enough non-Malay votes to push it over the line.
Amid all of that, another FMT story grabbed my attention.
Many of us in Kajang have long known of Rumah Keluarga Kami. Established in 1990, it has gone about helping marginalised children quietly and without fanfare, leaving many to take it for granted.
So, it came as quite a shock to know that the home was struggling to stay afloat.
The story, published on Wednesday, tugged at many of our heart strings. Here was a home valiantly trying to help marginalised children. One look at the photos will show that most of the children are from the Indian community.
Rumah Keluarga Kami is not the only one. There are many other such homes scattered across the country.
If nothing else, these homes hint at the fact that many Indian families are struggling — unable to earn a decent living and put food on the table. Many of their children are paying the price, not least in terms of securing a decent education.
It should be the role of government to look after the needs of vulnerable communities. Clearly, gaps have emerged.
In numerous cases, communities have quietly stepped into the breach.
Rumah Keluarga Kami has soldiered on as a small and quiet community effort — known to very few even in Kajang — for 35 years. The fact that it has gone public is proof it is in dire need.
Santiago is not wrong to say that many Indians are still being deprived of their most basic rights. He is also correct to call on the government to draw up a comprehensive plan to uplift the Indian communities.
Indeed, as he says, there are “structural issues” that need to be looked at.
But there are also immediate needs to be met, and assisting community-driven institutions like this must be part of the government’s agenda.
Ramanan’s ministry has been given substantial funds to uplift Indians. Aiding Indian participation in business and cooperatives is not the only way.
In his latest response, Santiago accused the deputy minister of “missing the forest for the trees”.
Rumah Keluarga Kami appears to be a tree in need of immediate attention.
Will the deputy minister pay it a visit to see how his government can extend help? - FMT
Vincent Arasu is a FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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