Funds allocated to Tekun, Mitra

KLANG: When the movement control order was implemented in 2020 following the Covid-19 pandemic, many Indians were forced to find a way to make ends meet.

Luckily, the various social media platforms were there to help them embark on an entrepreneurial journey.

While some of these businesses have grown and are still reaping profits, many are desperately in need of a financial boost as sales are no longer confined to social media platforms after the MCO.

K. Renuga, 33, who sells pickles she gets directly from the manufacturer, said she will look into expanding her business by applying for a loan under the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun) next year.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced, when tabling the 2024 Budget, that RM30mil out of RM330mil allocated to Tekun for small-scale entrepreneurs will go to the Indian community.

“I have a registered enterprise and a steady flow of customers. The loan will help me get additional stocks as well as look into going beyond social media to sell,’’ said the mother of three who started her business during the MCO.

Renuga added that she knows many women who have no collateral to apply for bank loans and need money to start small businesses.

“Unfortunately, most of them do not know about Tekun,’’ she said.

S. Kalai, who lost her clerical job recently, said she will be seeking a Tekun loan to start a food stall.

“There used to be a lot of competition before, and it was not easy to get a Tekun loan, but now with RM30mil just for Indians, I think my chances are quite good,’’ said Kalai, 55. Kalai added that she has no choice but to start her own business as her age prevents her from getting a job as employers prefer younger workers.

“The 2024 Budget has motivated me, and hopefully by this time next year, I will be the owner of a profitable food business,’’ she said.

Entrepreneurs Association of Little India Klang president Charles Manickam said there is an Indian lady who walks daily from shop to shop selling various products that she carries in a sling bag.

“She walks almost the whole day. With a Tekun loan available and help to register a business enterprise, she could stay put in one location to sell her products instead of walking all over the place,’’ said Charles.

He said the loan would help people like her rent small stalls as well as buy more stock to sell.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) special vehicle committee chairman Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan gave a double thumbs-up for the budget.

He said Anwar’s Madani Budget had also allocated RM100mil to Mitra for the Indian community’s socio-economic development.

According to Ramanan, there are also economic development opportunities available for Indians in all the ministries.

“I will ensure the Mitra funds allocation is spent effectively and with integrity through various strategic initiatives that will prioritise the B40 and M40 communities.

“I will bear the responsibility of ensuring Mitra’s allocation in Budget 2024 will have an optimal impact on the socio-economic development of the Malaysian Indian community,’’ said Ramanan.