Members of the Tamil Methodist Church are part of the Indian Community in Malaysia. In recent years, there have been much negative reports in the news regarding the Indian Community. With this in mind TMC Kuala Lumpur, under the leadership of Rev. Victor Vethamani, called the Christians in the Central District for a time of prayer for the community at large.

On 3 November 2006 Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria of Yayasan Strategik Social (YSS) was invited to share on the prayer needs of the community.

Dr. Denison spoke of the Indian Community in Malaysia as a small community comprising 8% of the Malaysian population. Statistics show that over the years the population continues to decline. Apart from this there is much debate on the economic status of the community that does not portray a very encouraging picture.

Within the Indian population itself, 30% of Indians are below the minimal economic level. It is from this group of people that the various social problems of the community (and to a lesser extent the nation itself) arise. Much of the cause of this problem has been due to the sudden shift of Indians from rural plantations to urban and suburban areas. With this sizeable shift of the Indian population, the mechanism to cope and adjust to the new life style and needs has not kept pace, thus resulting in various problems.

This is a serious matter for the community. As such whatever our ethnic roots or religious background may be the Indian community as a whole has to rise up to the challenge to redress the situation. Dr. Denison suggested that:

1. All Indian Churches pray for the Indian Community's upliftment.
2. Churches get involved in social uplifting projects like education, job training, and counseling against social ills
3. Indian Churches should encourage their leaders to be involved in the mechanism of the Government of Malaysia
4. All Indian Churches continue to pray for wisdom and protection for Christian agencies and Christian leaders who are already involved in this work at various Governmental and NGO levels.

The Tamil Methodist Church of Malaysia and every one of its members should heed this call and respond to it. Although for the moment the problems affect only a small percentage of the Indian population, ultimately as 1 Corinthians 12:26 says it will affect the whole community.

Thus let us arise and stand up for our community and be united in prayer for our future generation.

Rev. Elijah Bala
TAC