Sungai buloh: A total of 300 food baskets were distributed to B40 families to ease their burden in celebrating the Tamil New Year celebration of Chithirai Puthandu.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sungai Buloh Member of Parliament Datuk Seri R. Ramanan stated that the initiative also included cash assistance and daily necessities to ensure that the targeted group could celebrate the new year with joy. Malaysians are marking the Tamil New Year with gratitude, as the country remains peaceful despite facing economic challenges.

'We celebrate this Tamil New Year with great gratitude as the nation continues to enjoy peace. Although there are challenges related to the economic crisis, we remain thankful to be able to celebrate this occasion together with those in need,' Ramanan said. He was addressing reporters after officiating at the Chithirai Puthandu MADNI 2026 celebration at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.

Ramanan, who also serves as the Human Resources Minister, emphasized his ministry's commitment to expanding social assistance programs within the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency, alongside managing temples in the area. On the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA), he announced that the disbursement of approved funds to temples would commence next week.

'For the first phase, assistance will be channelled to 300 temples, while the second phase will involve more than 300 additional temples. In total, over 600 temples will benefit from this initiative,' he added. Meanwhile, Ramanan mentioned that MITRA has devised several new plans that will be rolled out in stages in the near future. This year, MITRA's primary objectives include strengthening the education agenda and enhancing employment opportunities for the Indian community through allocations under Budget 2026.