IPOH, July 8 – Several additional allocations provided by the Unity Government specifically to improve the socio-economic status of the Indian community in the country are proof that the government does not neglect this group, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said that the government had previously allocated RM100 million to the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) in addition to increasing several funds, such as RM50 million each to the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional) and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia for the Indian community.
“If the representatives of the Indian community speak to me (about welfare of the community), I will try to solve it. Look, some people say MITRA (has issues), but that’s not true. MITRA alone (received) RM100 million.
“TEKUN (for) small Indian traders, we added RM50 million, and previously Amanah Ikhtiar was for poor villagers, we helped everyone. Now, we also added RM50 million to Amanah Ikhtiar for the Indian community, so it’s not true to say we don’t care,” he said at the “Santai Bersama Komuniti India Parlimen Tambun” programme on Monday.
Anwar, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tambun, said that the steps taken by the government to assist the Indian community resulted from feedback and discussions with friends, state executive councillors, assemblymen, and representatives of the Indian community regarding the issues faced by the community.
