KUALA LUMPUR: This year's Deepavali celebration has been further enlivened by the announcement of several new initiatives totalling RM42.25mil for the Indian community, approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday (Oct 12).
Indian Community Initiatives Implementation Committee (JPIMI) chairman Datuk Seri R. Ramanan stated that new initiatives include the free tuition programme "Kalvi Madani", laptops through Peranti Siswa, and school maintenance and repairs via the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).
Ramanan, who is also Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, mentioned that Kalvi Madani will benefit students in 200 Tamil National Type Schools (SJKT) with a RM8mil allocation, following the approach of the Madani Tuition Programme previously implemented in Kelantan and Terengganu.
Additionally, 3,000 first-year students from institutions of higher learning (IPT) will receive new laptops by Dec 31 through an RM7.95mil allocation under the Peranti Siswa programme, prioritising the B40 group.
An allocation of RM12.8mil has been provided to 173 SJKTs for minor repairs, furniture purchases, and other needs. The list of schools will be identified by the Education Ministry.
Ramanan explained that out of 526 SJKTs, 173 are government schools sharing the MOE's allocation with all types of schools, while the remaining 363 are government-aided schools receiving more assistance.
Another initiative announced is the Eradication of Extreme Poverty Programme, involving RM3.5mil through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), benefiting 1,064 recipients who will receive RM300 to a maximum of RM1,750, with recipients identified via eKasih.
The government continues the Early Entry Assistance for Higher Education Institutions 5.0 with a RM10mil allocation for B40 students, providing RM2,000 for regular students and RM3,000 for students with disabilities. Applications are to be submitted via https://mitra.gov.my from Friday (Oct 17) at 3pm until Nov 17.
Applications for the programme to empower houses of worship as community and cultural centres, Dharma Madani, with a previously announced RM20mil allocation, must be submitted from Friday (Oct 17) at 3pm until 3pm on Nov 3 via www.perpaduan.gov.my. The first phase allocates up to RM20,000 for 1,000 temples, with 10% for operational costs and equipment, and the remainder for cultural programmes like religious classes, "thevaram", and dance.
Ramanan hosted a luncheon for Tamil media practitioners in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration on Monday (Oct 20), attended by Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. – Bernama
