Latest news with #MalaysianIndianCommunityTransformationUnit
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ramanan refutes 'irresponsible' claim that Mitra failed due to leadership issues
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan has denied claims that the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) failed because of a lack of leadership continuity. Ramanan, the former chairman of Mitra, said such accusations should not be made without understanding the facts of how the body's programmes were implemented. He said that when he chaired the Mitra Special Task Force Committee last year, a RM100 million allocation was used. "This is hilarious because the claims come from an irresponsible party. How can you say Mitra failed?" he told reporters after handing over offer letters to small Indian-owned companies here today. "Every time a programme was opened, the names of the recipients were announced. Not only were funds disbursed well, but all information was also shared. "I am sure the media also knows about it, so how can there be a claim that Mitra failed?" Ramanan said. The comments follow claims made on Tuesday by current Mitra chairman P Prabakaran, who said issues with leadership continuity were behind the perception that the organisation had failed to make a significant impact. Prabakaran added that the agency was also considered a "catch-all" organisation and was unfairly burdened with responsibilities beyond its mandate. Ramanan said he was disappointed that some people made rash statements about Mitra and linked them to the country's leadership. "You are blaming the prime minister for your failure. That is your failure. As politicians, we must think before we speak. Not once, not ten times, but a hundred times. "So I am issuing a warning, do not link the Prime Minister's Office and the prime minister's name to your failure. Not everything can be implemented immediately. "Some things take time, but the important thing is that it is implemented transparently and with integrity. If that is guaranteed, then there is no issue," he said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MITRA allocates RM652k to boost Johor Indian micro-entrepreneurs
JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) has disbursed RM652,000 to Indian micro-entrepreneurs in Johor as part of efforts to enhance economic development within the community. The funding, allocated to 128 approved applicants, includes business equipment for 38 recipients who attended the presentation ceremony. MITRA chairman P. Prabakaran stated that the initiative aligns with the Malaysia MADANI vision, focusing on uplifting socio-economic conditions for small traders requiring capital and equipment support. 'This assistance strengthens micro-entrepreneur networks and ensures the Indian community benefits from inclusive development,' he said after the event. MITRA receives an annual budget of RM100 million for nationwide community programmes. Prabakaran also highlighted three major ongoing projects worth RM21 million, covering dialysis centres, kindergartens, and an impact study. 'The dialysis programme will aid 2,000 patients, while the kindergarten initiative supports over 100,000 children,' he added. The impact study, conducted with a public university, evaluates MITRA's programme effectiveness from 2021 to 2023. 'This is MITRA's first comprehensive review to ensure funded projects deliver measurable benefits,' Prabakaran explained. - Bernama
Malay Mail
25-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Don't belittle RM100 aid, it means a lot to the poor,' says Ramanan
BUTTERWORTH, July 25 — The provision of additional cash assistance of RM100 to Malaysian citizens, aged 18 and above, through the Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA) programme should not be politicised, but rather seen as a form of concern for the poor. Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri said downplaying the value of the RM100 assistance was like belittling the poor in this country because it had a great impact on the daily lives of the less fortunate. 'If he is a rich man, T20, he would indeed look down on RM100, but does he know how many people in this country are in the B40 group…how much RM100 is to them and for rich people, he doesn't understand whether RM100 is a big deal or not. 'Do they know how many kilogrammes of rice RM100 can buy, how many chickens it can buy? So, if the (government) initiative is good, we have to say it is good, if it is not good, we have to say it is not good, not to belittle it,' he told reporters after attending the PENN 2.0 Special Fund Financing Briefing and Presentation Ceremony here last night. Explaining further, Ramanan said all parties should show empathy and understand the reality of the lives of low-income groups, especially in challenging economic conditions. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, yesterday announced several major initiatives as a sign of appreciation from the MADANI Government to the people, including the one-off RM100 grant under the SARA programme, the delay in toll hikes for 10 highways, and the lower RON95 petrol price subsidy at RM1.99 per litre. Meanwhile, Ramanan also said the MADANI Government no longer relies on a single agency such as the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) in addressing the issues of the Indian community, but has instead introduced various high-impact programmes including financing and entrepreneurship development. According to him, the government is now implementing a more comprehensive approach involving various agencies such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN), Bank Rakyat, SME Bank and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) specifically to empower Indians. '(It is) increasing the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) fund from RM50 million to RM100 million, in addition to an additional RM50 million fund for the BRIEF-i programme, the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) and introducing Vanigham Financing for Indian Entrepreneurs with financing of RM50 million,' he said. In total, he said that a total of RM417 million had been channelled by the government specifically to implement various initiatives to empower the Indian entrepreneurial community, as of this month. Earlier, a total of 22 people received total financing involving the PENN, SPUMI, SPUMI Goes Big and BRIEF-I programmes totalling RM932,000. — Bernama
New Straits Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Do not politicise RM100 aid, great value for the poor
BUTTERWORTH: The provision of additional cash assistance of RM100 to Malaysian citizens, aged 18 and above, through the Basic Rahmah Contribution (Sara) programme should not be politicised, but rather seen as a form of concern for the poor. Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said downplaying the value of the RM100 assistance was like belittling the poor in this country because it had a great impact on the daily lives of the less fortunate. "If he is a rich man, T20, he would indeed look down on RM100, but does he know how many people in this country are in the B40 group…how much RM100 is to them and for rich people, he doesn't understand whether RM100 is a big deal or not. "Do they know how many kilogrammes of rice RM100 can buy, how many chickens it can buy? "So, if the (government) initiative is good, we have to say it is good, if it is not good, we have to say it is not good, not to belittle it," he told reporters after attending the PENN 2.0 Special Fund Financing Briefing and Presentation Ceremony last night. Ramanan said all parties should show empathy and understand the reality of the lives of low-income groups, especially in challenging economic conditions. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, yesterday announced several major initiatives as a sign of appreciation from the Madani government to the people, including the one-off RM100 grant under the Sara programme, the delay in toll hikes for 10 highways, and the lower RON95 petrol price subsidy at RM1.99 per litre. Meanwhile, Ramanan also said the Madani government no longer relies on a single agency such as the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) in addressing the issues of the Indian community, but has instead introduced various high-impact programmes including financing and entrepreneurship development. He said the government is now implementing a more comprehensive approach involving various agencies such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun), Bank Rakyat, SME Bank and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) specifically to empower Indians. "(It is) increasing the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) fund from RM50 million to RM100 million, in addition to an additional RM50 million fund for the BRIEF-i programme, the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) and introducing Vanigham Financing for Indian Entrepreneurs with financing of RM50 million," he said. In total, he said that a total of RM417 million had been channelled by the government specifically to implement various initiatives to empower the Indian entrepreneurial community, as of this month. Earlier, a total of 22 people received total financing involving the PENN, SPUMI, SPUMI Goes Big and BRIEF-I programmes totalling RM932,000. – Bernama
The Star
25-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Don't politicise, belittle RM100 Sara assistance, great value for the poor, says Ramanan
BUTTERWORTH: The provision of additional cash assistance of RM100 to Malaysian citizens, aged 18 and above, through the Basic Rahmah Contribution (Sara) programme should not be politicised, but rather seen as a form of concern for the poor, says Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. The Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said downplaying the value of the RM100 assistance was like belittling the poor in this country because it had a great impact on the daily lives of the less fortunate. "If he is a rich man, T20, he would indeed look down on RM100, but does he know how many people in this country are in the B40 group…how much RM100 is to them and for rich people, he doesn't understand whether RM100 is a big deal or not. "Do they know how many kilogrammes of rice RM100 can buy, how many chickens it can buy? So, if the (government) initiative is good, we have to say it is good, if it is not good, we have to say it is not good, not to belittle it," he told reporters after attending the PENN 2.0 Special Fund Financing Briefing and Presentation Ceremony here Thursday (July 24) night. Explaining further, Ramanan said all parties should show empathy and understand the reality of the lives of low-income groups, especially in challenging economic conditions. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, on Wednesday (July 23) announced several major initiatives as a sign of appreciation from the Madani government to the people, including the one-off RM100 grant under the Sara programme, the delay in toll hikes for 10 highways, and the lower RON95 petrol price subsidy at RM1.99 per litre. Meanwhile, Ramanan also said the Madani government no longer relies on a single agency such as the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) in addressing the issues of the Indian community, but has instead introduced various high-impact programmes including financing and entrepreneurship development. According to him, the government is now implementing a more comprehensive approach involving various agencies such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun), Bank Rakyat, SME Bank and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) specifically to empower Indians. "(It is) increasing the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) fund from RM50mil to RM100mil, in addition to an additional RM50mil fund for the BRIEF-i programme, the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) and introducing Vanigham Financing for Indian Entrepreneurs with financing of RM50mil," he said. In total, he said that a total of RM417mil had been channelled by the government specifically to implement various initiatives to empower the Indian entrepreneurial community, as of this month. Earlier, a total of 22 people received total financing involving the PENN, SPUMI, SPUMI Goes Big and BRIEF-I programmes totalling RM932,000. - Bernama
