Petaling Jaya, Jan 4: A new coalition of 121 Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has called for a "policy of inclusion" to ensure the community's participation in all levels of the decision-making process.

It has appealed to set up a non-political independent task force to initiate programmes including a moratorium on the demolition of places of worship, education, economic and employment opportunities.

The coalition's chairman, Datuk A. Vaithilingam, said the organisations also called for the setting-up of a community development fund to be managed by the task force to provide incentives and implement community empowerment programmes.

"We have submitted a preliminary statement comprising of urgent reforms for disadvantaged Indian-Malaysians directly to the Prime Minister's Office last Friday," he said.

"The coalition is confident that these proposals will receive due consideration, and look forward to seeing its immediate implementation because we want all parties to work together to develop our unity and harmony in our country," Vaithilingam added.

More than 15,000 Malaysian Indian Congress members and supporters will gather in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 20 to pledge their support to the Barisan Nasional and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Works Minister S. Samy Vellu said.

Samy Vellu said the gathering is aimed at explaining to party members and the community the struggles, achievements and challenges before them, the Star Online reported. (ANI)