Kuala lumpur: The allocations and assistance for the Indian community are channelled comprehensively through various ministries and not solely concentrated under the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He highlighted that multiple programmes with substantial allocations under different ministries benefit the community in areas such as education, housing, and business, in addition to the specific annual allocation of RM100 million for MITRA.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid for the Indian community amounted to half a billion ringgit in 2022, with projections reaching RM1 billion for 2025. Furthermore, a Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme worth RM1.2 billion has been provided for the community. In 2024, almost the entire RM100 million allocation for MITRA was utilized, benefiting 122,082 members of the Indian community.
Additional forms of assistance include RM9.3 million in early education subsidies, RM17.63 million in higher education aid for the Indian B40 community, and RM2.99 million in laptop assistance for Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT), involving the distribution of 6,000 laptops in stages. Anwar addressed claims of the government neglecting the Indian community, stating these are untrue and that allocations for MITRA are being approved promptly.
During the Minister's Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat, the Prime Minister responded to a query from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) regarding the comprehensive development of the Indian community's socio-economic status through MITRA and other agencies. Anwar elaborated that in 2025, the government plans to enhance coordination between each ministry and MITRA for better assistance delivery.
Housing projects for the Indian community under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) will see coordinated funds from MITRA to cover any financial gaps. Additionally, ICT laboratory equipment assistance in 50 SJKT schools will receive RM5 million from the Ministry of Education, supplemented by MITRA. A total of 200 Hindu temples registered as Local Community Centres nationwide have been allocated RM20 million, along with a one-off RM10 million from the Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM), for minor repairs and maintenance of residences of Indian estate workers.
Addressing the issue of hardcore poverty, Anwar emphasized the importance of strengthening and centralizing programmes aimed at eradicating poverty among the Indian community. The MADANI Economic framework focuses on eliminating hardcore poverty across every state and district without racial distinction. Anwar highlighted that although the Indian community is smaller, there are groups within it that are among the poorest, necessitating targeted efforts to address their needs.
Anwar responded to a supplementary question from V. Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) about clear guidelines in the 13th Malaysia Plan for eradicating poverty within the Indian community, underscoring the government's clear policy on strengthening centralization of poverty eradication programmes.