KLANG – In a move aimed at providing enhanced support and assistance to the Malaysian Indian community, a proposal has been put forth to establish Mitra centres in every state across the nation.
Selangor state assemblyman for Sentosa, Gunaraj George said these centres would be vital hubs for Indian community members to access various initiatives and guidance from the unity government.
He said in a statement that Mitra, the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit, has been steadily advancing its mission of socio-economic development within the Indian community since its inception in 2016.
“The recent successful utilisation of its 2023 Budget allocation underscores Mitra’s growing role in uplifting the community.”
He said Mitra had been given a “new life”, as it marks the first time since its formation in 2016 that the unit has successfully utilised its entire allocation.
More significantly, he added that the transparency and accountability in which the fund has been used sets a new benchmark on the utilisation of public funds.
While acknowledging the contributions of Mitra task force chairman Datuk R. Ramanan, he said it is evident that the collective efforts of the organisation have been instrumental in achieving these milestones.
“The commitment to transparency and accountability within Mitra has been evident, exemplified by their voluntary audit of previous operational years conducted by the National Audit Department.
“This approach not only enhances the credibility of Mitra’s initiatives but also ensures that past mistakes are acknowledged and corrected to prevent their recurrence.”
Gunaraj said Mitra’s impactful programmes have benefitted about 100,000 Malaysian Indians, particularly those within the B40 segment.
Such initiatives include subsidies for degree studies, support for early education in private kindergartens, dialysis assistance, Tamil schools empowerment, and collaborations on socio-economic development with various NGOs,
He added that his proposal for nationwide Mitra centres hold the promise of increased accessibility and outreach within the Indian community.
He described the potential of this initiative to empower the community as substantial, adding that its implementation could significantly impact the lives of more Malaysian Indians. – The Vibes, September 23, 2023
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