THE Indian community was very much disappointed by the lower-than-expected budgetary allocations for 2025.
The government’s allocation of RM100 mil for MITRA was a major setback for the community’s plans for a more generous assistance scheme.
MITRA is now part the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) which enables it to be closely monitored by the prime minister himself.
Under the leadership of Batu MP P. Prabakaran, MITRA is expected to do a better job than when it was placed under his predecessors.
Back then, the fund was misused for many unintended purposes and as is well known, criminal investigations were conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
For long, the usage of MITRA funds has been subjected to controversy and acrimony between various political factions and this is the reason why the allocations were not optimally used to help the Indian community.
It is hoped that with the controversies and polemics behind it, MITRA under the new leadership will be transparent and accountable which can only be achieved through good governance. Better usage of the fund could lead to future increases in budgetary allocations.
There is also another silver lining for the Indian community and this is the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry whose deputy minister is Sungai Buloh MP Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan.
He is in a good position to help business-minded Indians. The Madani government has often stated that the Indian community need not depend on specific budgetary allocations given to it but should be availed to the opportunities from all ministries and sectors in the government.
As such Indian entrepreneurs keen on opening businesses and start-ups should make full use of the opportunities from the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry.
If necessary Ramanan should appoint a team of special assistants who are knowledgeable about Indian needs who could be stationed in his ministry in Putrajaya or the constituency office in the Star Avenue Business Centre in Sungai Buloh.
These assistants can guide the applicants who want to begin commercial enterprises and start-ups right from the application stage to loans from banks as well as the government.
Ramanan can also provide valuable information about the various avenues where Indians can get financial help for their enterprises as well as other aspects of business such as marketing and compliance to various local laws.
He can also initiate town hall meetings and Q&A sessions for the Indian community to know more about the government’s efforts to create entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Indian political and community leaders regardless of their party leanings need to play a more proactive role in informing and procuring applicants to use the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry to help Indians.
They should not simply whine over the shortfall in allocations to the community and do nothing about it.
The main needs of Indians are education, business and employment. If properly and positively utilised the ministry could be a saviour of the community as it is the most important ministry that can meaningfully and optimally help Indians.
Many Indian entrepreneurs are on the lookout for business opportunities. At the end of the day if the ministry’s various schemes are fully utilised, the Indian community could gain more than the annual budgetary allocation it gets.
There are another three years under the Madani government and the Indian community should fully utilise the opportunities and benefits.
Having an Indian deputy minister who understands the needs and plight of the community is half the battle won.
V. Thomas is a FocusM viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.
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