PM Anwar Clarifies Federal Support For Indian Community Extends Far Beyond MITRA

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 – Government financial assistance and development support for the Indian community in Malaysia is not restricted to the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA), but encompasses nationwide welfare, education, and entrepreneurial initiatives, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clarified.

Speaking during a walkabout visit to the Brickfields Deepavali Mega Bazaar 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Anwar highlighted that federal support is channeled through major national schemes including Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), TEKUN Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), and direct school maintenance funds.

Anwar was accompanied at the festive bazaar by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

“Sometimes, people think that the only assistance available for the Indian community is MITRA, whereas there are also STR, Amanah Ikhtiar, and TEKUN… all of these are also part of the support we provide,” Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, addressed the crowd. “Is this enough? Not yet. That I agree, but we are gradually increasing. We are discussing this constructively to introduce new initiatives where there were none before.”

Anwar announced substantial funding boosts across key sector pillars:

• MITRA Annual Allocation: Raised by 50 per cent from RM100 million (the benchmark since 2008) to RM150 million, with enhanced focus on high-skill technical training in aircraft maintenance, industrial automation, and digital technologies for Indian youth.
• Entrepreneurship Financing: An additional RM150 million allocated through TEKUN Nasional and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia specifically targeted at Indian entrepreneurs.
• Tamil Vernacular Schools (SJKT): School maintenance and repair allocations increased to RM50 million, prioritizing dilapidated structures. The government will fully rebuild SJKT Ladang Pamol in Kluang, Johor, and construct six new SJKTs, including locations in Sungai Bakap, Penang, and Klebang, Perak.
• Places of Worship: The maintenance and development fund for registered places of worship will increase to RM80 million next year, up from RM50 million allocated annually since 2021.

Anwar affirmed that the MADANI Government remains committed to progressively scaling up targeted allocations based on constructive discussions and structured assessments of local community needs.

Community Financial Allocations, Educational Expansion, and Strategic Pillars

Key financial funding figures, institutional projects, and targeted welfare initiatives include:

• MITRA Funding Boost: Increased from RM100M to RM150M annually (50% increase).
• Entrepreneurship Capital: RM150M additional financing via TEKUN Nasional and AIM.
• Tamil Schools Development: RM50M maintenance allocation; rebuilding of SJKT Ladang Pamol (Kluang, Johor); 6 new SJKTs planned including Sungai Bakap (Penang) and Klebang (Perak).
• Houses of Worship Allocation: Increased to RM80M for next year (up from RM50M annually since 2021).

–NMT