Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Seri R Ramanan, has announced plans to review the allocation of RM100,000 in aid through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) to target Indian communities in need, prioritising districts with the highest population densities.
Speaking during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Ramanan, who also serves as the MADANI Government spokesperson for the Indian community, explained that the programme was not continued in 2024 as MITRA focused on other initiatives. These included temple empowerment, school maintenance, preschool programmes, public facilities, and support for plantation workers.
“Previously in 2024, it was planned for RM100,000 to be distributed to Indian communities based on district population density rather than parliamentary constituencies. However, it was not implemented due to numerous other programmes,” he said.
Ramanan assured that this year, the government will revisit the initiative, providing a slightly higher allocation to ensure funds reach those most in need, with guidance from local MPs who have better insight into their communities.
He was responding to supplementary questions from Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam) regarding MITRA’s readiness to provide special funding to parliamentary service centres for direct assistance to needy Indian communities. Ramanan also addressed the original question from Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam) on ensuring MITRA continues to operate effectively under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), which oversees multiple major responsibilities.
Ramanan emphasised that MITRA’s placement under KESUMA does not change its original mandate as a dedicated agency responsible for planning and implementing socio-economic development programmes for the Indian community.
“This move strengthens MADANI Government’s commitment to ensuring welfare, social mobility, and human capital development for the Indian community are delivered in a more integrated and impactful manner,” he said.
He added that under KESUMA, MITRA programmes will be implemented with greater organisation, systematic monitoring, and efficiency, aligning with workforce development, employability, skills enhancement, and social protection policies, while reinforcing governance, transparency, and accountability in fund management.
Ramanan concluded that KESUMA is committed to supporting MITRA through cross-agency collaboration, integrated monitoring, and coordinated policy alignment, with a core focus on advancing the socio-economic development of the Malaysian Indian community.
