KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) has proposed to the Economy Ministry that it be granted the mandate to serve as a monitoring body to ensure effective implementation of plans and initiatives for the Indian community under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Its chairman P. Prabakaran said the proposal has been submitted for consideration and approval, adding that the body had also requested for an appointment with minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to present its initiative.
“If approved, Mitra will be able to monitor the participation of the Indian community in various government initiatives and programmes to ensure equitable access and effective delivery,” he told Bernama.
Prabakaran said that Mitra had coordinated a series of engagements with various stakeholders, including professionals, educators and community leaders to formulate policies and initiatives tailored for the Indian community.
These recommendations, compiled in a policy paper, have been submitted to the Economy Ministry.
Among key proposals is the setting up of a Commission for Minorities, which would serve as an oversight mechanism to ensure fair allocation of government resources to minority groups, including the Indian community, Orang Asli and other ethnic minorities in Malaysia.
“We are not saying that equality does not exist, but a dedicated monitoring system can ensure that government policies are effectively implemented and reach their intended beneficiaries,” he said.
Prabakaran also spoke on the need for targeted education policies, noting that many Indian students face financial constraints that hinder their access to higher education.
He called for increased funding for Indian entrepreneurs, pointing out that existing allocations such as the RM12mil National Institute of Entrepreneurship initiative only benefited 650 Indian entrepreneurs out of 8,000 applicants in 2024.
Prabakaran acknowledged that previous efforts such as the Malaysian Indian Blueprint and various socio-economic action plans had not been fully implemented.
“To address this, Mitra is pushing for continuity in government policies rather than relying on ad-hoc initiatives that change with each leadership transition.
“This is why a permanent monitoring body like Mitra is crucial to ensure that Indian community development efforts do not become mere policy documents sitting on a shelf,” he said.
