More Initiatives To Strengthen Indian Community’s Economy In 2025 - Ramanan 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- The government will implement more initiatives to further strengthen the Indian community’s economy in the coming year.

Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said this was to ensure that the community’s economic development was in line with the national development process, as directed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“The Prime Minister has suggested that the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry (KUSKOP) work on more initiatives for the Indian community. At the same time, he (Anwar) has instructed me to mobilise and develop programmes that can benefit (the Indian community) through other government agencies.

“The MADANI government, under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, is committed to upholding the hopes and safeguarding the well-being of all races in the country, including the Indian community. The Prime Minister is keeping a close watch on all developments related to the Indian community’s affairs,” he said in his New Year message here today.

The Sungai Buloh Member of Parliament, tasked with safeguarding the interests of the Indian community, stated that the MADANI Government’s commitment to improving the well-being of the community in the country was evident through various initiatives carried out in 2024.

“Whenever KUSKOP launches a new initiative, he (Prime Minister) will contact me to ensure that all initiatives prioritise the best delivery, monitoring, and implementation systems. He is deeply concerned with the success of every initiative implemented,” he said.

Ramanan said that the seven initiatives introduced by KUSKOP have had a positive impact so far, and in the coming year, steps would be taken to improve and add value to these programmes.

“For 2025, there will definitely be good news. My team and I have already planned it, and we will announce it soon.

“My only hope is to ensure that all programs and initiatives announced are shared, including success stories. Let us not fall for ‘syok sendiri’ stories created by certain groups for political interests,” he said.

In 2024, through the Vanakam MADANI initiative, Ramanan said the government channelled RM3.17 million in financial assistance to 90 Indian community houses of worship nationwide.

In addition, Ramanan said that to strengthen the community’s economy in line with the MADANI Economy framework, RM60 million was allocated through the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN) for the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) and SPUMI Goes Big, benefiting 2,370 entrepreneurs, with RM57.977 million in assistance disbursed as of Dec 23.

Ramanan added that, through another initiative, 3,285 women entrepreneurs were assisted under the Prosperity, Empowerment, and A New Normal (PENN) programme by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), with an allocation of RM30.34 million.

Additionally, 451 entrepreneurs from the Indian community benefitted from the Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i program (BRIEF-i), which received an allocation of RM50 million.

Ramanan explained that, in a bid to strengthen small businesses owned by the Indian community, KUSKOP, through SME Corp, launched the Business Accelerator Programme (I-BAP), with RM6 million allocated for the initiative.

He said that as part of efforts to develop talent and skills, the Empowering Indian Entrepreneur (EIP 2024) programme was also launched, focusing on entrepreneurship training, artificial intelligence (AI), finance, and social media.

He said that at the cooperative level, KUSKOP, through the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM), organised the Indian Community Cooperative Conference on Oct 13, which was attended by 200 cooperatives.

“Grants of up to RM30,000 would be distributed to eligible cooperatives next year,” he said.

In the meantime, Ramanan urged the Indian community to remain united, stressing that this would ensure a brighter future.

-- BERNAMA