PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) has received an additional RM50mil boost, as the government moves to strengthen programmes for the Indian community, announced the Prime Minister.
This brings the total allocation for Mitra this year to RM150mil.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was following the agency’s good performance in implementing development programmes for the Indian community.
He said the decision was made after the government assessed the effectiveness of various Mitra programmes targeted at the Indian community who need assistance, particularly in the fields of education, training and socio-economic development.
“Mitra is a special unit because it can incorporate the views of elite Indian scholars and representatives of Indian associations.
“However, we must improve the programmes (offered) so that it truly reaches the groups who need it.
“I agree that starting this year, we should increase its allocation by RM50mil,” he said during a meet-and-greet session with Indian undergraduates at Universiti Malaya.
Anwar said the government’s approach under the Malaysia Madani framework is based on fairness and inclusivity, adding that efforts to uplift the disadvantaged is not limited to programmes under Mitra alone.
The Prime Minister said there are initiatives under various ministries, including the Human Resources Ministry and Finance Ministry aimed at eradicating hardcore poverty and assisting the people.
He said the government also paid attention to the governance aspect in the management of Mitra funds to ensure that aid reached the target group.
Anwar said programmes for the Indian community not only involved welfare assistance, but also opened up educational and technical training opportunities for youth.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan described the increase in allocation for Mitra as a significant milestone in the agency’s history.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for the additional allocation. For more than 20 years, the allocation remained at RM100mil,” he said.
Ramanan added that Mitra had demonstrated strong implementation capacity, with near-full utilisation of its allocations in recent years.
“For this year, our programmes have already been planned. We are close to fully utilising the RM100mil allocation available,” he said.
Ramanan said Mitra will focus on holistic educational development, covering preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary education, including high-level technical training.
