MITRA JUST APPROVED RM40 MLN AT COMMITTEE-LEVEL, SAYS PRABAKARAN

GEORGE TOWN, A total of RM40 million from the government's RM100 million allocation to the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) this year has just been approved at the committee level for numerous programmes aimed at enhancing socio-economic transformation within the community. MITRA Special Task Force Committee chairman, P. Prabakaran, refuted earlier reports suggesting that the entire sum had been spent, stating that it still needed to undergo a lengthy process before being disbursed to benefit the Indian community. "We intend to utilise the funds to subsidise students in public and private higher education institutions, help dialysis patients, as well as assist students in private kindergartens within the Indian community," he told Bernama today. He explained that the remaining allocation would be earmarked for other areas such as education funds, professional certifications, assistance for estate workers, and rural residents. Yesterday, the media reported Prabakaran's statement that the RM40 million allocated by the government to the unit this year had been effectively and transparently utilised through various strategic initiatives, prioritising the B40 group. The 2024 MADANI Budget allocated RM100 million to MITRA for socio-economic development programmes for the Indian community, in addition to RM30 million under the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN) to specifically finance Indian community businesses. Source: BERNAMA News Agency