Initiatives To Empower Indian Community To Be Implemented Swiftly, Transparently — Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The four new initiatives worth RM40 million recently announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to empower the Indian community will be implemented swiftly, transparently and efficiently.

Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the initiatives would also be carried out with clear monitoring mechanisms, alongside close collaboration among various government agencies, including the Integrity Unit and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“The MADANI Government’s commitment is clear, which is to ensure the Indian community is not left behind in the nation’s development agenda. Every sen allocated will be managed with full integrity to reach the intended recipients and deliver lasting impact,” he said in a statement today.

During the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament on Aug 19, Anwar announced RM5 million for infrastructure, public amenities and safety upgrades in Indian settlements, as well as another RM5 million to enhance information and communications technology (ICT) laboratory equipment in Tamil national-type schools.

In addition, RM20 million has been allocated for the empowerment of Hindu temples as community centres (under the Dharma Madani Programme), while RM10 million will go towards minor repairs and maintenance of plantation workers’ housing.

Ramanan said the implementation of all four initiatives was tabled at the Implementation Committee Meeting on Indian Community Initiatives under the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA), chaired by the Prime Minister at the Parliament building today.

“Our main focus is to ensure the Indian community, particularly the B40 group, directly benefits from these allocations without bureaucratic hurdles,” he added.

-- BERNAMA