Newly-minted deputy minister retains Mitra role

Clocking in: Ramanan on his first day as Deputy Entrepreneurs and Coope­ratives Development Minister. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Newly-appointed deputy minister Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan still remains the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) special committee chairman.

“Status quo for now,” he said when asked whether he would be relinquishing the Mitra position after being appointed Deputy Entrepreneurs and Cooperatives Development Minister.

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According to Bernama, Ramanan was met as he clocked in to work for the first time yesterday at the ministry here.

Ramanan, who is also Sungai Buloh MP, was appointed Mitra chairman in April by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, Anwar announced that Ramanan will be taking over from Saraswathy Kandasami, who has been transferred to the National Unity Ministry as Deputy Minister.

Ramanan said he has been briefed on the ministry’s achievements in 2023 and its plans for 2024.

Among the aims for 2024 are increasing the participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in high-impact industries to strengthen domestic supply chains and global value chains.

“The ministry wants to also enhance the capacity and capabilities of entrepreneurs to be more resilient and progressive,” Ramanan added.