KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) has introduced seven new initiatives worth RM59.76 million aimed at strengthening human capital, economic empowerment and socio-spiritual development among the Indian community, especially those from the B40 and M40 groups.
Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the initiatives are expected to benefit more than 20,000 individuals and about 600 institutions nationwide, Bernama reported.
He said an additional RM25 million had been allocated to the Uyarvu MADANI 2.0 Programme, bringing its total allocation to RM50 million to support 1,400 B40 and M40 entrepreneurs across various business sectors.
In education, RM900,680 has been allocated for the Tamil Language Empowerment Programme for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) students, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE).
The programme, which includes guidance and special tuition classes, is expected to benefit 8,690 students.
“At the tertiary level, Mitra has also allocated RM13.25 million under the MADANI Device Programme to provide high-performance digital devices to 5,000 first-year B40 and M40 university students,” he told reporters after the Uyarvu MADANI Grant Series 2 for 2026 handover ceremony here today.
Ramanan said the RM10 million MADANI Student Special Aid Programme would provide a one-off preparatory financial assistance of RM2,000 each to 5,000 B40 university students to help ease the financial burden on their families.
For primary and secondary education, the RM5.36 million 2026 SJKT ICT Equipment Initiative (Smart Board) will continue, with 400 smart boards to be distributed to 358 Tamil national-type schools (SJKT) nationwide to enhance the use of technology in classrooms.
“In addition, Mitra is allocating RM5 million under the MADANI Harmony Programme to provide RM20,000 each to gurdwaras and Indian churches, with up to 250 places of worship targeted for conversion into learning hubs and venues for social and spiritual activities,” he said.
He said applications for tertiary education initiatives would be open from Sept 14 to Oct 31, while applications for entrepreneurship and spiritual programmes would be accepted from Sept 14 to Oct 13.
“At the same time, the RM250,000 Crime Prevention Programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) to foster discipline and resilience among 700 SJKT pupils in Melaka. It is expected to be held in November,” he said.
Ramanan added that the second series of the Uyarvu MADANI Programme (MADANI Entrepreneur Grant) would benefit 159 recipients from 24 business sectors across 10 states.
This brings the total number of entrepreneurs benefiting from the RM7.49 million grant allocation to 285, following assistance provided to 126 applicants under the first series.
“This achievement is a positive development that reflects the government’s continued commitment to ensuring that economic assistance reaches the targeted groups who need support and have the potential to grow their businesses,” he said. – September 10, 2026