Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] to take immediate steps through diplomatic channels to protect ethnic Indians in Malaysia.

In a letter to Dr Singh, a copy of which was circulated to the media in Chennai, Vaiko said the Malaysian authorities had used police force against ethnic Indians, mostly Tamils, when they took out a peaceful rally on November 25.

"Making up some eight per cent of Malaysia's population, Indians are historically underprivileged, compared to other ethnic groups and have long felt discriminated. More than 90 per cent of ethnic Indians in Malaysia are Tamils. They have contributed to bring economic prosperity in Malaysia, shedding their sweat of labour all these years. But they have been discriminated in education, jobs and business opportunities by Malaysian authorities," he added.

Stating that the reported statement of the Malaysian prime minister against the rally was "disturbing and caused apprehension" about the future safety and welfare of ethnic Indians, Vaiko requested the prime minister to take steps to protect them.