MITRA RECEIVES OVER 200 APPLICATIONS FOR PPSMI GRANT

13/12/2024 12:22 PM

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- More than 200 non-governmental organisations and companies have applied for the 2025 Socio-Economic Development Grant for the Indian Community since the application was opened last Dec 2.

Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) Special Task Force Committee chairman P. Prabakaran said institutions interested in implementing high-impact programmes for the Indian community can still apply as the application for the grant is open until this Jan 5.

"Those keen to apply for the grant can approach the MITRA office, and we will guide them on how to apply. We also emphasise that the proposed programmes should be need-based, not one-based. So, we should target areas with a significant B40 Indian population and implement projects tailored to their needs.

“This is why engagement with MITRA is crucial. We can assist in identifying key areas to address urban and rural poverty within the Indian community,” he said, adding that the PPSMI grant applications will be processed after the closing date.

He told reporters this after opening the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) Engagement Session for the Low-Income Indian Community here today.

Regarding the engagement session, Prabakaran stated that it brought together a focus group comprising academics, professionals, and NGOs to develop policies aimed at addressing the needs of the low-income Indian community.

“This is a very significant initiative, and I would like to express my gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for, for the first time in history, allowing MITRA to draft policies for the Indian community to be included in the 13MP document.

“Once the policy draft is complete, we will present it to the Ministry of Economy,” he said.

Prabhakaran said nine engagement sessions had been held involving various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, and all findings will be compiled.

In addition to poverty, the engagement session addressed several key issues, including entrepreneurship, youth development, socioeconomic challenges, and Tamil schools.