MITRA Allocates RM652,000 To Uplift Johor Indian Micro-Entrepreneurs

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 3 (Bernama) – The Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) has allocated RM652,000 to Indian micro-entrepreneurs in Johor to boost the community’s economic development in line with the Malaysia MADANI vision.

MITRA chairman P. Prabakaran said the amount covers 128 approved applications, with 38 recipients present today to receive business equipment they had applied for through the MITRA portal and the Johor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JICCI).

“This assistance aims to uplift the socio-economic standing of the Indian community, particularly small traders in need of equipment and basic capital support,” he told Bernama after the presentation session.

He said the initiative supports the government’s policy to strengthen micro-entrepreneur networks and ensure the Indian community continues to benefit from equitable development.

Overall, MITRA receives RM100 million annually for various community programmes nationwide.

“So far, we have approved three major programmes worth RM21 million, namely for dialysis centres, kindergartens and an impact study. Disbursement for the dialysis centre and kindergarten is expected to begin within two weeks,” he said.

He added that the dialysis programme is expected to benefit about 2,000 recipients while the kindergarten initiative will support more than 100,000 children.

On the impact study, Prabakaran said it is being carried out with a public university to assess the effectiveness of MITRA’s programmes from 2021 to 2023.

“This is the first such study in MITRA’s history, and we are committed to ensuring that every funded project delivers tangible results for the community,” he said. 

— BERNAMA