The upcoming Deepavali celebration carries added jot for the Indian community as the MADANI Government announced several new initiative worth a total of RM42.25 million, approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Indian Community Initiatives Implementation Committee (JPIMI) chairman YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan said the new measures include a free tuition programme ‘Kalvi MADANI’ laptop aid through ‘Peranti Siswa’ and school maintenance and repair funds under the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA).
Dato’ Sri Ramanan, who is also the Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said the Kalvi MADANI programme will benefit students in 200 Tamil National-Type Schools (SJKT) with an allocation of RM8 million. The programme takes the same approach the MADANI Tuition Programme previously implemented in Kelantan and Terengganu.
In addition, a total of 3,000 first-year students from institutions of higher learning will receive new laptops by 31st December under the Peranti Siswa programme. The initiative, which prioritises the B40 group, is backed by an allocation of RM7.95 million.
Dato’ Sri Ramanan also announced an RM12.8 million allocation for 173 SJKTs requiring minor repairs, furniture, and other essential upgrades. The list of schools will be identified by the Ministry of Education (MOE). Out of 526 SJKTs nationwide, 173 are government schools that share MOE allocations with other types of schools, while 363 are government-aided schools that receive more targeted assistance. Another new initiative under the MADANI framework is the Eradication of Extreme Poverty Programme, involving RM3.5 million channeled through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN). This effort will benefit 1,064 recipients, who will receive between RM300 and a maximum of RM1,750. The list of recipients will be obtained from the eKasih database.
The government will also continue the Early Entry Assistance for Higher Education Institutions 5.0 programme with an allocation of RM10 million for B40 students. The initiative provides RM2,000 to regular students and RM3,000 to students with disabilities. Applications for this programme open on 17th October at 3PM and closes on 17th November, via the MITRA website.
Dato’ Sri Ramanan further highlighted that applications for the Dharma MADANI programme, aimed at empowering houses of worship as community and cultural centres will open on 17th October at 3PM, and close on 3rd November at 3PM, through www.perpaduan.gov.my
The Dharma MADANI initiative, previously announced with a RM20 million allocation, will initially fund up to 1,000 temples in it’s first phase, offering up to RM20,000 per temple. Only 10% of this amount can be used for operational costs and equipment purchases while the remainder must go towards cultural programmes such as religious clases, theveram and traditional dance.
He added that temples which meet all requirements, submit performance reports on time, and comply with MITRA’s structure will be eligible for consideration in the programme’s second phase.
Image Source: Bernama
