KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) has launched seven new initiatives worth RM59.76mil to strengthen human capital, economic empowerment and socio-spiritual development among the Indian community, particularly those in the B40 and M40 groups.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan (pic) said the initiatives are expected to benefit more than 20,000 recipients and about 600 institutions nationwide.
He said an additional RM25mil had been allocated to the Uyarvu Madani 2.0 Programme, bringing its total allocation to RM50mil, to support 1,400 B40 and M40 entrepreneurs across various business sectors.
In education, RM900,680 has been allocated for the Tamil Language Empowerment Programme for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), in collaboration with the Education Ministry, including guidance and special tuition classes benefiting 8,690 students.
"At the tertiary level, Mitra has also allocated RM13.25mil under the Madani Device Programme to provide high-performance digital devices to 5,000 first-year B40 and M40 university students," he told reporters after the Uyarvu Madani Grant Series 2 for 2026 handover ceremony here on Thursday (Sept 10).
Ramanan said the RM10mil Madani Student Special Aid Programme would provide a one-off preparatory financial aid of RM2,000 each to 5,000 B40 university students to help ease the financial burden on their families.
For primary and secondary education, the RM5.36mil 2026 SJKT ICT Equipment Initiative (Smart Board) will also continue, with 400 smart boards to be supplied to 358 Tamil national-type schools (SJKT) nationwide to strengthen the use of technology in teaching.
"In addition, Mitra is allocating RM5mil under the Madani Harmony Programme to provide RM20,000 each to gurdwaras and Indian churches, with up to 250 places of worship targeted for conversion into learning hubs and venues for social and spiritual activities," he said.
He said applications for the tertiary education initiatives would be open from Sept 14 to Oct 31, while applications for the entrepreneurship and spiritual programmes would be open from Sept 14 to Oct 13.
"At the same time, a RM250,000 Crime Prevention Programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) to foster discipline and resilience among 700 SJKT pupils in Melaka. It is expected to be held in November," he said.
Ramanan added that the second series of the Uyarvu Madani Programme (Madani Entrepreneur Grant) would benefit 159 recipients from 24 business sectors across 10 states, bringing the total number of entrepreneurs benefiting from the RM7.49mil grant allocation to 285, after 126 applicants received assistance under the first series.
"This achievement is a positive development that reflects the government’s continued commitment to ensuring that economic assistance reaches the targeted groups who need support and have the potential to grow their businesses," he said. – Bernama
