Johor bahru: The Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) has allocated RM652,000 to Indian micro-entrepreneurs in Johor to boost the community’s economic development in line with the Malaysia MADANI vision. MITRA chairman P. Prabakaran announced that the funding will support 128 approved applications. Of these, 38 recipients were present to receive the business equipment they applied for through the MITRA portal and the Johor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JICCI).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the assistance aims to uplift the socio-economic standing of the Indian community, particularly small traders in need of equipment and basic capital support. Prabakaran emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s policy to enhance micro-entrepreneur networks and ensure equitable development for the Indian community. Annually, MITRA receives RM100 million for various community programs nationwide.

Prabakaran also mentioned that three major programs worth RM21 million have been approved, focusing on dialysis centers, kindergartens, and an impact study. Disbursement for the dialysis center and kindergarten is expected to commence within two weeks. The dialysis program plans to benefit around 2,000 recipients, while the kindergarten initiative aims to support over 100,000 children.

He further elaborated on the impact study being conducted with a public university to evaluate the effectiveness of MITRA’s programs from 2021 to 2023. Prabakaran highlighted the significance of this first-of-its-kind study in MITRA’s history, underscoring their commitment to ensuring that each funded project delivers tangible results for the community.