PM’s Direct Engagement With Indian Community To Shape Future Action

PETALING JAYA, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s direct engagement with Indian community leaders is providing the government with input on issues to be addressed through future policies and initiatives, including for the upcoming 2027 Budget next month.

Special Duties Officer to the Prime Minister M. Shanmugam said the latest engagement on Sept 3, the second such session, brought together representatives from the business sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community organisations.

He said various issues were raised during the session, including education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), matriculation, universities, entrepreneurship, financing, development, the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA), welfare and government service delivery.

“This is still at an early stage as we are collecting input and definitely it will be translated into action through the Budget (on Oct 9), as well as initiatives from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The Prime Minister is also taking the requests back to the Cabinet and, as long as the government is in a position to address them, they will definitely be looked into,” he said when officiating Onam Vannallo 4.0, a national Onam celebration, here today.

Shanmugam said the engagement reflected Anwar’s approach of listening directly to the community to better understand its needs and translate the feedback into concrete action.

He said the discussions were not confined to issues affecting the Indian community but also covered broader matters concerning the country’s economic and social development.

Prior to this, Anwar said the MADANI government would continue efforts to improve the Indian community’s standard of living as part of the national development agenda, including widening access to financing for entrepreneurs, strengthening MITRA, enhancing entrepreneurship and TVET, and creating more opportunities for youth development through mentor mentee programmes.

Meanwhile, All Malaysia Malayalee Association (AMMA) president Datin Seri Shaila Nair said about 650 people attended the celebration, which featured various cultural performances and an Onam feast.

She said the participation of Malaysians from different communities was particularly encouraging and reflected the event’s theme of unity.

“The Onam feast is an important part of the celebration, and I am very happy to see everyone enjoying the food, Onam Sadhya, and participating in the cultural activities.

Onam is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the Malayalee community, particularly in Kerala, India, traditionally commemorating the return of the legendary King Mahabali, whose reign is associated with prosperity, equality and harmony.

-- BERNAMA