PUTRAJAYA – The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) is returning to the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department after being under the National Unity Ministry, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also government spokesman, said the matter was agreed upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang at the cabinet meeting today.
“The cabinet decided to return Mitra to the Prime Minister’s Department. For details on the enforcement and effective date, refer to Mitra,” he told a press conference.
“With the return, Mitra will be given specific focus areas to ensure that not only will it be managed well but also to have its objectives achieved or even expanded.”
Mitra, which was previously the Socioeconomic Development of the Indian Community, was established in 2014 before being renamed Mitra in 2018 and placed under the National Unity Ministry.
In September 2022, it was put under the purview of the PM’s Department.
In December 2023, Mitra was once again relocated under the Unity Ministry and in February this year, Batu MP P. Prabakaran was appointed as chairman of the Mitra Special Task Force Committee, replacing Sg Buloh MP Datuk R. Ramanan.
On March 27, Ramanan called for Mitra to be placed back under the PM’s Department after taking into account the views of various parties.
Ramanan, who is also the deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, said the call was also made because the infrastructure and resources under the PM’s Department was more advanced compared to other ministries thus allowing for more efficient management. – April 3, 2024