The government allocated an additional RM130 million for the Indian community, said Ramanan

NIBONG TEBAL: The Unity Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has allocated an additional RM130 million in total for the Indian community in this country, in the last four months.

According to Bernama, the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk R Ramanan, said this included an additional RM50 million for the Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i (BRIEF-i) Financing Program and RM30 million for the SPUMI Empowerment Financing Scheme (SPUMI Goes Big) under National Business Group Economic Fund (TEKUN).

In addition, the government also allocated RM50 million for the Indian Women’s Empowerment Special Fund (PENN) under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).

“SPUMI since 2008 to 2024, there has never been any increase in funds. However, today the government has allocated RM60 million (in total) for SPUMI.

“Previously, the fund for Indian women entrepreneurs (PENN) was only RM20 million, but today the MADANI Government will provide RM70 million, which is an additional RM50 million,” he told reporters after attending the Joint Meeting of the Indian Entrepreneur Community.

Ramanan said that only the Unity Government and Anwar were concerned about giving large allocations to the Indian community in Malaysia, compared to the previous government.

Therefore, he asked Indians to take advantage of the allocation reserved for them, so that no group will be left behind.

Meanwhile, Ramanan said, a total of 25,559 Indian entrepreneurs have received funding under the SPUMI Scheme worth RM45.7 million nationwide since 2008 until May, including RM31.5 million to 1,698 Indian entrepreneurs in Penang.

Regarding the SPUMI Goes Big Scheme, he said 67 applications worth RM2.78 million out of 106 applications received since its launch on April 3 had been approved, while 30 applications were being processed.

“All the improvements in the scheme are steps to help improve the standard of living of the people, thereby realizing the socio-economic transformation of the country,” he said.

Ramanan also said that the Unity Government is currently making great changes for the Indian community, by continuing to implement various initiatives and programs for the minorities.

Earlier, Ramanan inspected the MADANI Sale of Cooperatives and Entrepreneurs in Kampung Lima Kongsi, Sungai Bakap which received a favorable response from the local residents.