Facing unprecedented protests against alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians, Malaysian Premier Abdullah Badawi has assured the community that he will look into their grievances and address them accordingly.

The assurance was given to leaders and representatives of 14 NGOs led by Malaysian Hindu Council Chairman R Nadarajah, during a two-hour meeting with Badawi at the Prime Minister's office.

President of the Malaysia Indian Congress (MIC) Samy Vellu, who is also Works Minister, was present at the meeting along with representatives from the Malaysian Human Rights Commission.

Nadarajah said the discussions centred on all aspects, including education, unity, agriculture and economy.

"We brought to his attention the expectations of the Indian community and he was very concerned."

"The prime minister said he would look into all these and we are satisfied with the meeting. He gave each and every one of us the time to raise the problems facing the Indian community and he took down all the points highlighted," Nadarajah was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.

The meeting came a day after the authorities nvoked the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) to detain five leaders of non-governmental Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) spearheading protests against alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians in the Muslim-dominated country.

Nadarajah said the prime minister reminded them to inform their members and followers on why the ISA had to be invoked and why the government had to act firmly regarding the five members of the Hindraf group.

Badawi said he would also discuss the issues regarding the ethnic Indians with Vellu.