KUALA LUMPUR: The Government Backbenchers' Club (BBC) has described the implementation of the Madani Indian Community Programme announced through the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) as an important step towards strengthening the development and empowerment agenda of the Indian community at the grassroots level.
BBC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic) said the implementation of the programme across 80 parliamentary constituencies nationwide reflects the Madani government's commitment to ensuring that the development of the Indian community is carried out in a more inclusive manner and remains close to the people.
She said the approach not only strengthens policy implementation at the national level but also ensures that development benefits reach communities and parliamentary constituencies directly.
"This approach also enables MPs to play a more active role in identifying local priorities and challenges so that every programme implemented truly benefits the target groups," she said in a statement on Sunday (June 21).
Dr Zaliha said the BBC also welcomed the announcement of six new Mitra initiatives worth RM65.5mil, which are expected to benefit more than 50,000 members of the Indian community nationwide.
She said the initiatives, together with the increase in Mitra's annual allocation to RM150mil, demonstrate the Madani government's commitment to expanding access to education, human capital development, entrepreneurship, welfare and social mobility.
Earlier, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said Mitra would implement six new initiatives this year, including the Madani Indian Community Programme in collaboration with government MP's service centres.
Ramanan said each service centre would receive an allocation of RM150,000 to implement programmes related to education, entrepreneurship, social development and healthcare. – Bernama
