From correspondents in Federal Territory, Malaysia, 01:30 PM IST

The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has sought an annual allocation of about $90 million from the government to raise the equity of the ethnic Indians, particularly the poor.

At an estimated 2.6 million, ethnic Indians, most of whom came here during the British era, form eight percent of the 28 million population.

MIC has traditionally spoken for the Indians, but lost badly in the elections in March. It is now in the process of revamping itself, The Star said Sunday.

Its president S. Samy Vellu said: 'The fund will also be spent on agro-based business development and schools affairs.'

Vellu said a proposal had been submitted to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in-charge-of Economic Planning Unit Senator Amirsham Abdul Aziz.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)