KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM6.7mil in grants has been disbursed to support education, entrepreneurship and community development among the Indian community through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).
The grants were given under three programmes, namely, the Madani Tuition, Uyarvu Madani and Dharma Madani at a ceremony officiated by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan here yesterday.
Under the Madani Tuition programme, Ramanan said RM2.63mil was allocated to 28 tuition centres to improve their operations to better teach 2,343 students preparing for their SPM and STPM examinations this year.
The programme, which will run from August to December, provides free tuition to Indian students across seven states to help reduce financial barriers to academic preparation.
“Let us remember that by studying diligently, seizing the opportunities given and proving yourself with effort and discipline combined with proper support, nothing is impossible.
“I hope this initiative will be fully utilised by all participating students,” Ramanan said in his speech.
For the Uyarvu Madani programme, a total of RM3.05mil in grants was given to 128 Indian entrepreneurs to help expand their existing businesses and strengthen operations.
The recipients consisted of three categories – Micro, Growth and High – of which 91 fell under Micro, 29 under Growth and eight under High, with grants of up to RM50,000 available depending on the category.
Ramanan said the programme was aimed at helping existing businesses that were already profitable but faced financial constraints in expanding.
“These businesses are already making money. It is just that they cannot grow at the moment due to their own circumstances or constraints.
“This grant is meant to help take them to the next level, whether it is enabling them to open up their next stall, buy the necessities and goods to grow or just pay rental.
“Our aim in Mitra now is very clear. We will teach you how to fish by giving you what you need for the start,” he said in a press conference after the ceremony.
He added that the Uyarvu Madani programme had a total allocation of RM25mil for 2026 to benefit 700 entrepreneurs with the ceremony being only the programme’s first series.
“For applicants not selected in Series 1, do not worry – evaluations are ongoing and successful applicants will be contacted in stages for future series.
“If the target of 700 recipients is not met, Mitra will also reopen applications to give others a chance.
“As such, my advice is do not give up or be disheartened. Apply again, as there are many more places which are available,” he added.
On the Dharma Madani programme, Ramanan said a total of RM1.04mil in grants was provided to 52 Hindu places of worship under the programme’s Series 4.
He said the grants will be used to strengthen religious, cultural, spiritual and community development activities at these key religious sites.
“Places of worship are not only for prayer but also serve as centres of community unity, moral education, cultural activities and social programmes that benefit local communities, which is what this grant is for.
“The programme has so far approved RM13.52mil for 676 Hindu places of worship nationwide, with the overall target being 1,000 registered temples,” he said.
Ramanan said the three initiatives reflected Mitra’s broader approach to empowering the Indian community through education, entrepreneurship and community development.
To this, he also revealed that Mitra had been allocated RM150mil this year for this purpose.
“We want to see more Indian youths succeed in their studies, more Indian entrepreneurs expand their businesses and places of worship continue to empower the community.
“The government remains committed to ensuring the development of the Indian community is inclusive, structured and impactful for the well-being of the people and progress of the nation,” he said.
