Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) being placed under the Human Resource Ministry (KESUMA) will not compromise its core mission of socio-economic development for the Indian community, stated Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. The move is designed to bolster the MADANI Government's efforts in promoting welfare, social mobility, and human capital development among the Indian population.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ramanan emphasized during a session in the Dewan Rakyat that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, believes this restructuring will reinforce MITRA's objectives by aligning them with the nation's comprehensive human resource development strategies. This shift aims to ensure that MITRA's initiatives are executed in an organized and effective manner, enhancing workforce development, employability, skills improvement, and social protection under KESUMA.
In response to queries from Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam) about potential risks to the Indian community's welfare due to KESUMA's existing workload, Ramanan reassured that the integration would improve MITRA's governance, transparency, and accountability in managing allocations and programmes. He also addressed concerns about MITRA's aid application failures in Sabak Bernam and assistance for university students, noting that details of aid recipients are available on MITRA's official website. Financial aid of approximately RM4,000 for university graduates and 3,000 laptops from Yayasan Didik Negara are part of the ongoing support initiatives.
Ramanan elaborated that MITRA's aid applications operate on a first-come, first-served basis and reported that RM48.874 million has been disbursed, with remaining funds still being distributed. Addressing a supplementary question from Azil Yusof (PH-Shah Alam) on community involvement, Ramanan highlighted that in 2023, RM100,000 allocations were distributed based on districts with dense Indian populations rather than specific parliamentary constituencies. For 2024, MITRA plans to continue programmes such as empowerment of houses of worship, school maintenance aid, and support for plantation workers, with involvement from Members of Parliament and local leaders assured.