Deputy Minister R. Ramanan clarifies that MITRA’s role is unchanged, with all funds dedicated to the Indian community through inter-agency cooperation approved by the Prime Minister.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) remains the primary agency for the socioeconomic development of the Indian community.
Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said this today while winding up the 2026 Supply Bill debate in the Dewan Negara.
He clarified that disbursing MITRA funds through other agencies is not a deviation from its mandate but part of an inter-agency cooperation mechanism approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The initiatives approved by the Prime Minister are interventions designed to address issues requiring cross-ministerial action,” he said.
These issues include matters related to education, welfare, spiritual wellbeing and basic infrastructure for the Indian community.
Ramanan said the approach ensures allocations reach intended beneficiaries directly, rather than being confined to selected organisations or individuals.
“I would like to emphasise that 100% of MITRA’s funds are channelled for the benefit of the Indian community,” he said.
He added that not a single sen is used for any ministerial programme that does not benefit the community.
Development funding for the community is not limited to the RM100 million allocated to MITRA.
It also includes allocations channelled through various ministries and agencies benefiting all Malaysians.
These include the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry, the Education Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry and other development programme bodies are also involved.
