MITRA allocation for Indian churches a meaningful step in empowering Christian Indian community – Jonathan Vela

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM5 million allocation by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) under the Harmoni MADANI Programme, which includes Indian churches and gurdwaras nationwide, has been welcomed as a meaningful step towards empowering the Indian Christian community.

PKR Federal Territories Strategy Director Jonathan Vela said the initiative would provide eligible houses of worship with RM20,000 each, with up to 250 houses of worship targeted for support as learning hubs as well as centres for social and religious activities.

He said the specific recognition of Indian churches under the programme was particularly significant to the Indian Christian community, noting that Tamil and Indian churches had long served purposes beyond worship.

“Indian churches have played an important role in education, youth development, family welfare and community services for many years,” he said in a statement.

Vela also expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the leadership and commitment shown by the Madani government in ensuring that the development of the Indian community was pursued in a more inclusive manner, including its religious diversity.

He also thanked Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister R Ramanan for continuing to highlight the needs of the Indian community and strengthening MITRA’s efforts to ensure assistance and development opportunities reached people at the grassroots level.

“The initiative carries an important message — that empowering the Indian community must encompass all segments of society regardless of religious background,” he said.

Vela hoped the allocation would be implemented transparently and through an accessible application process, particularly for smaller churches that had been carrying out welfare and community development programmes for years.

He also urged eligible Indian and Tamil churches to take advantage of the initiative and submit their applications once the application process opens.
“When we empower institutions that educate, guide and care for the community, we are empowering the community itself,” he said.

Vela reiterated his appreciation to Anwar and Ramanan for their continued efforts and commitment towards the development of Malaysia’s Indian community.