Updating with additional info from Mitra chief, Dato Ramanan (graf 5,6,7).
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) will be strengthened to help in the development programmes aimed at improving the economy of Indians in the country, was welcomed by Human Resources Minister V.Sivakumar.
The prime minister, who tabled the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan in Parliament today, meted out various plans aimed at the overall economic improvement for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion.
He had also spoken on the specific plans targetting the various needs of the people, including those in the lower income groups.
Among these plans, that also included expanding equity ownership to more people to address the long standing issue of less than 30 percent equity ownership by Bumiputeras and financial plans for Chinese villages as well as for the people of Sabah and Sarawak, Anwar said all Malaysians will benefit from the 12th Malaysia Plan.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, Dato Ramanan Ramakrishnan who chairs Mitra’s Special Committee under the Prime Minister’s Department, also welcomed the announcement, saying it reflected the prime minister’s care to strengthen the implementation of socioeconomic development programmes for the Indian community.
It is an apt decision and in synch with the aspirations to develop a progressive and high-income country, said Ramanan, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sungai Buloh.
He added that he would be meeting with the prime minister soon to discuss several important matters related to the socioeconomic development programmes.
— WE