KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) has proposed to the Economy Ministry that it be granted the mandate to be a monitoring body to ensure effective implementation of plans and initiatives for the Indian community under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13).
Mitra Chairman P. Prabakaran said the proposal has been submitted for consideration and approval, with an appointment already requested with Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to present the proposal.
“If approved, Mitra will be able to monitor the participation of the Indian community in various government initiatives and programmes to ensure equitable access and effective delivery,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview at Wisma Bernama yesterday.
Prabakaran said Mitra had coordinated a series of engagements in late 2024 with various stakeholders, including professionals, educators, and community leaders, to formulate policies and initiatives tailored for the Indian community.
These recommendations, compiled in a policy paper, have been submitted to the Economy Ministry.
Among the key proposals is the establishment of a Commission for Minorities, which would serve as an oversight mechanism to ensure the fair allocation of government resources to minority groups, including the Indian community, Orang Asli, and other ethnic minorities in Malaysia.
“We are not saying that equality does not exist, but a dedicated monitoring system can ensure that government policies are effectively implemented and reach their intended beneficiaries,” he said.
Prabakaran emphasised the need for targeted education policies, noting that many Indian students face financial constraints that hinder their access to higher education.
“While PTPTN loans cover a portion of costs, additional financial aid is needed, particularly for those from B40 and M40 backgrounds,” he said.
As part of RMK-13, MITRA is advocating for the strategic relocation of Tamil schools to more urban areas where Indian populations have increased, ensuring better access to quality education while maintaining the cultural significance.
Additionally, Prabakaran called for increased funding for Indian entrepreneurs, pointing out that existing allocations—such as the RM12 million National Institute of Entrepreneurship (Insken) initiative only benefited 650 Indian entrepreneurs out of 8,000 applicants in 2024.
“This highlights the urgent need for more business grants and loans to support Indian entrepreneurs, particularly in the post-pandemic recovery phase,” he said.
Prabakaran acknowledged that previous efforts such as the Malaysian Indian Blueprint and various socio-economic action plans had not been fully implemented. To address this, Mitra is pushing for continuity in government policies, rather than relying on ad-hoc initiatives that change with each leadership transition.
“This is why a permanent monitoring body like Mitra is crucial—to ensure that Indian community development efforts do not become mere policy documents sitting on a shelf,” he said.
He added that Mitra will continue to engage with the government and key ministers to push its recommendations to the Cabinet for approval.
“If even 50% of our proposals are implemented, it will already be a significant win for the community,” he said.
Prabakaran is expected to raise these issues in the ongoing Parliament session and will continue advocating for policy reforms that provide long-term benefits to the Indian community in Malaysia. – February 8, 2025