Kuala lumpur: A total of RM6.7 million has been allocated for three initiatives under the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) to strengthen the socio-economic development of the Indian community, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. He announced that the Tuisyen MADANI, Uyarvu MADANI, and Dharma MADANI programmes are set to benefit students, entrepreneurs, and Hindu places of worship across the nation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Tuisyen MADANI 2026 Programme is set to enhance educational opportunities, involving 28 tuition centers across seven states. This initiative aims to assist 2,343 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students by providing five months of free tuition from August to December, with an allocation of RM2.63 million to improve academic achievements and ease families' financial burdens.
Meanwhile, the 2026 B40/M40 Indian Entrepreneurs Grant Programme, known as Uyarvu MADANI, has selected 128 entrepreneurs to receive over RM3.05 million in grants. These grants, categorized into micro, growth, and high-impact, are intended to bolster the operations, competitiveness, and market reach of entrepreneurs, thereby contributing to the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the Indian community.
Datuk Seri R. Ramanan also highlighted that Indian community entrepreneurs could apply for additional business grant assistance through other agencies such as SME Bank, Bank Rakyat, and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia. He shared these insights at the Tuisyen MADANI, Uyarvu MADANI, and Dharma MADANI Handover Ceremony.
For Series 4 of the Dharma MADANI Programme, Ramanan reported that 52 Hindu places of worship have received RM1.04 million, with an additional 324 expected to receive grants soon, raising the total number of recipients for the series to 676.
In a separate comment on the resignation of Subang Member of Parliament Wong Chen, Ramanan, who is also PKR vice-president, expressed disappointment on behalf of both the party and voters. He noted that PKR had supported Wong in contesting the seat three times, culminating in a significant victory with a 100,000-vote majority. Despite his disappointment, Ramanan respected Wong's decision and acknowledged his freedom to choose a new political affiliation.