Anwar always prioritizes success, the progress of the Indian community, said Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment in dealing with the problems and direction of the Indian community in the country has been consistent over time and has always prioritized the success and progress of all programs related to Indians.

According to Bernama, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan said that the Prime Minister wants all programs related to Indians to be “empowered and added value”.

“That’s why we launched the SPUMI Goes Big Program – Additional RM30 million, Indian Women’s Empowerment through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia – Additional RM50 million and the latest is BRIEF-I through Bank Rakyat – RM50 million.

“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 alone,” he said.

Ramanan, said this includes 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 the National Business Enterprise 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 Bernama.

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 across the country from 2008 to May 2024.

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, thus 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.

“The Prime Minister wants the future of the Indian community, especially in the economic sector, to be empowered again. That is why the Government through the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP) gives priority to the financial assistance program. Many hawkers, traders and businessmen of the Indian community need help.

“Each time, after a program is planned, I get support from KUSKOP Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick before being appointed and presented to the Prime Minister for approval. He is always supportive and helpful.

“He often asks about the development of SPUMI GOES BIG – TEKUN, the PENN Program under Amanah Ikthiar Malaysia and also the BRIEF-i Program under Bank Rakyat. He is quite committed to monitoring the implementation process and success.”

Ramanan who is also the Member of Parliament for Sungai Buloh and PKR Deputy Head of Information 1 also criticized the actions of a group of individuals who ‘use’ Indians as political capital for political interests which are too ‘desperate’.

Ramanan also advised the Indian community not to be quickly ‘deceived’ by all the fanatical political games mixed with slander on social media that are becoming more prevalent. The Indian community needs to make an authentic ‘reading of information’ and get the right information and not be influenced by the self-shocking actions of a group of individuals who only become champions on social media.