PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim always prioritised the agenda of "Empowering the Indian Community” in line with the national development process, says Deputy Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk R. Ramanan.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the launch of the Sure Heboh Programme here on Sunday (May 5), he said the Prime Minister was fully committed to ensuring the agenda's success.

"The Madani government has never marginalised any race. But certain parties continue to play up the sentiment of 'hate politics’, claiming that the Prime Minister is marginalising the Indians.

"We must be wary. Surely, we must ensure the agenda of empowering Indians is guaranteed. That is also the 'principle’ that I hold on to as the Deputy Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperatives Minister,” he said.

He said that on Friday (May 3), he had announced the approval of a RM100,000 grant for the benefit of Koperasi Pengusaha Restoran India Malaysia Bhd through the Cooperative Strengthening Programme under the Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia.

He also recently announced additional funds of RM30 million for the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme Financing Scheme (SPUMI Goes Big) and a special fund of RM50Mil from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia for the Prosperty, Empowerment & New Normal For Indian Women programme, which is set to benefit over 10,000 Indian women entrepreneurs.

He said all these initiatives for the Indian community entrepreneurs could not have been realised without the Prime Minister's mandate.

"So, stop all these malicious accusations. We must stand together and be united to make the mission of transforming the Indian community successful. We must move forward.

"My advice to the Indian community is to capitalise on the various assistance, initiatives and opportunities provided by the government to improve their businesses for a better future for the Indian community, especially in business,” he said. – Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/05/pm-always-priorities-agenda-to-empower-indian-community-says-ramanan