‘Education is Mitra’s focus’

Uplifting the Indians: Ramanan (third right) serving laddu to MItra staff members in conjunction with Deepavali after chairing a meeting on sosio- economy programmes for the community at the Mitra office in Putrajaya. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: The education sector will be at the forefront of the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) priorities heading in 2024, says Datuk R. Ramanan.

The Mitra Special Committee Chairman said this was prioritised alongside other aspects such as healthcare and sports.

Ramanan said Mitra’s upcoming initiatives would either be carried out in stages, or simultaneously nationwide.

“Nobody is going to be left out. That is something that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made very clear.

“That is the Madani concept,” he told a press conference at the Mitra office yesterday.

On the financial aid distributed by Mitra for 10,000 eligible Indian students to pursue tertiary education at higher learning institutions, Ramanan said some RM13.96mil had already been distributed to approximately 7,000 students.

The aid was disbursed as a one-off payment of RM2,000 per student.

“We have paid, and they have already received their money. For the remaining 3,000 odd students, we are in the process of releasing money to them,” said Ramanan who is also the Sungai Buloh MP.

When asked whether the quota of Indian youths receiving the aid would be increased next year, Ramanan said it would be discussed further.

He added that the cooperation programme between Mitra and Weststar Aviation Services to produce aircraft technicians, had already seen about 100 Indian youths submitting their applications.

“We need to run through this process thoroughly as being an aircraft technician involves lives and public safety.

“Weststar Aviation Services have already selected a few (youths), and this is an ongoing process,” he said.

On another matter, Ramanan said a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer had been stationed at the Mitra office.

He said the officer would attend the unit’s meetings and also guide the unit to ensure no mismanagement occurred.

“If there is any issue, MACC will definitely take action.

“In order to better implement (Mitra programmes), run Mitra, be more transparent, or make the vetting process clearer, I have to thank (MACC chief commissioner) Tan Sri Azam Baki for giving us his officer.

“We also have an officer from the Integrity Unit here,” he said at the same press conference.

Mitra Special Committee member RSN Rayer said he was confident that the public’s perception of Mitra would change for the better in the future.

“Our meetings will ensure Mitra funds are used in a detailed and transparent manner, with nothing to hide.

“I have to thank Ramanan for discussing every allocation and for all recipient profiles to be made transparent,” he said.

“Under the Prime Minister and Ramanan’s leadership. Mitra’s targets will be achieved and more Indians will receive aid,” Rayer added.

The duo were responding to reports that the MACC had concluded investigations involving the misappropriation of Mitra funds, with those involved being charged in court.

Azam was quoted as saying that Mitra had been advised on the improvements needed in managing its funds.

In 2021, Mitra was investigated by the MACC over allegations that funds had been misappropriated from 2019 to 2021.