Malaysia's deputy prime minister Najib Tun Razak has asked the ethnic Indian community in the country not to support 'those staging street demonstrations' but the government to ensure that they are not left out of the mainstream development.

In an apparent reference to non-governmental Hindu Rights Action Forum (Hindraf), which is spearheading the campaign against the Indian community's alleged marginalisation in the country, Najib asked, "Do you think your future can be guaranteed by those staging street demonstrations?"

"It is important to send signals to the Indian community that their future lies with the Barisan Nasional," Najib said after opening the special convention of the Malaysian Indian Congress.

"Continue to place your trust with the Barisan. The Barisan is the future of Malaysian Indians and all Malaysians. The future will be better if you work within the system and not against it," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

His comments came in the backdrop of protests by the community, including a huge rally of over 20,000 people in November 2007, declared illegal by the government, against its alleged marginalisation organised by Hindraf. The government has denied the allegations.

The MIC is a component of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition party. The Barisan Nasional is widely expected to win the polls expected to take place in a few months.

He said Malaysia can not emerge as a developed nation by 2020 if any of the races, including ethnic Indians, were marginalised.

Ethnic Indians form 7.8 per cent of Malaysia's 27 million population.

Najib said the MIC leaders and members must work hard to deliver a high percentage of Indian votes to the Barisan in the coming general election.

The deputy prime minister said the chief secretary to the government, Mohd Sidek Hassan had been asked to increase the intake of Indians in the civil service.

"(He has been asked to) Make sure when they (Indians) apply (for jobs), don't just reject. Make sure the good ones are taken in. By doing that, it will increase employment opportunities for the Indians," Najib said, according to Bernama.

The convention, attended by over 3,700 branch chairmen and MIC elected representatives, is to prepare the party's grassroots machinery for the upcoming general election.

Najib assured an increase in scholarships for meritorious Indian students entering public universities besides sending the brighter ones abroad to carry on their academic pursuits.

"When they return after completing their studies, they can join the civil service," he said. He said the micro-credit loans for Indian businessmen should also be increased.