MELAKA — Applications for the Uyarvu Madani business grant programme, administered by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), have exceeded 8,000, far surpassing the initial target of 700 recipients.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the figure reflected strong demand and an overwhelming response among Indian entrepreneurs, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups.
He said RM25 million had been allocated for the programme, which offers grants ranging from RM20,000 to RM50,000 to help entrepreneurs expand their businesses.
“The number of applications increased after we extended the application period, as the original window was short.
“We initially targeted 700 recipients for these grants, but following the extension, we received more than 8,000 applications,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after a walkabout to engage with traders and the Indian community in Little India, Banda Hilir, here today.
Ramanan said Mitra also runs various assistance programmes covering education, dialysis treatment, medical aid and welfare support for senior citizens, alongside business assistance.
He said community outreach efforts would continue to assess how existing programmes benefit the community and identify areas for improvement based on their needs.
“This visit is aimed at obtaining direct feedback from the community on the types of assistance they need, so that Mitras programmes continue to benefit the intended recipients,” he said. – October 25, 2026