PETALING JAYA, Sept 22 — A new initiative to empower and strengthen the Indian community’s economy will soon be announced by the Madani Government through the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, its deputy minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said.
He said a meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss important matters before making the official announcement.
“I will hold another meeting next week to review key issues prior to the announcement,” he told reporters after launching the “Onam Vannallo 3.0” programme, organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory Malayalee Association in collaboration with the Yayasan Bank Rakyat at the NUPW Hall here yesterday.
Also present were Yayasan Bank Rakyat general manager Syaiful Rizal Abdul Ghani and chairman of the programme organising committee Shaila Nair, along with over 800 participants.
Ramanan, who is also Sungai Buloh MP, said after successfully implementing three special initiatives aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial economy of the Indian community over the past four months, a new initiative is being developed.
“Following the successful launch of three special initiatives to boost the economy of Indian entrepreneurs in the past four months, I have identified another compelling initiative that can greatly assist Indian entrepreneurs in boosting their economic prospects.
“As I have consistently emphasised, my primary mission is to empower the Indian community economy,” he said.
The three initiatives previously announced include the Empowerment Financing Scheme Goes Big through Tekun Nasional, with an allocation of RM30 million; Prosperity, Empowerment and a New Normal under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, with a RM50 million allocation aimed at empowering Indian women; and the Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i under Bank Rakyat, with a RM50 million allocation.
Ramanan reiterated that the Madani Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, prioritises racial unity as its core principle, in line with the Malaysia Madani vision.
“This is the strength of the Unity Government today. Racial harmony is our guiding principle to ensure the hopes of all communities are fulfilled,” he said.
— Bernama
