By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Sept 10 — The Federal government has channelled RM8.2 million since 2023 towards supporting hardcore poor Indian households in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).
Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan said the aid was provided under Mitra’s hardcore poverty eradication programme to help families meet basic expenses and ease their financial burdens.
“The government is committed to ensuring these households not only receive immediate relief but are also empowered to remain above the national poverty line,” he said in a written parliamentary reply dated yesterday.
He added that poverty eradication efforts for the Indian community are not limited to Mitra, with various initiatives being implemented by other ministries.
These include the urban poverty eradication programme under the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which provides economic empowerment activities, housing repairs and new housing schemes.
The Finance Ministry also provides direct assistance through the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), while the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry offers welfare support.
Ramanan said the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), tabled on July 31, further commits to raising the socioeconomic standing of the Indian community through initiatives under the Malaysian Indian Blueprint and the Indian Community Action Plan.
Other key measures include expanding access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), improving housing, strengthening entrepreneurship, enhancing community governance, and promoting digitalisation.
