KLANG, Oct 15: Member of Parliament for Klang, Ganabatirau Veraman has commended the Unity Government’s Budget 2024, saying its targetted allocations to the various groups from students, athletes to housewives and artists, and its purposeful inclusivity will benefit all Malaysians.
Expressing appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s attention to some of the proposals made for the Indian community, including the allocations to upgrade Tamil schools nationwide, houses of worship and raise their socio-economy through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA), Ganabatirau said it would now be crucial to ensure a fair and equal implementtion and utilisation of these allocations.
In a statement here today, the MP suggested a monitoring mechanism and the setting up of an Indian development committee to oversee that all the allocations are used appropriately.
Under the Budget, Tamil schools are also covered under an allocation of RM1.9 billion for all national and Chinese national types schools as well. A total of RM100 million has been allocated under MITRA and RM30 million for businesses run by Indians under TEKUN, while RM50 million has been allocated for the repair and maintenance of non-Muslim worship houses.
“Although the special allotments given by the government to Indians are less, I believe there are many more opportunities and allotments available in every Ministry accessible to Indians. The example is like an allocation for OKU where this allocation can be accepted by all OKU regardless of race.
“Rebates for EV motor purchases can also be enjoyed by all races. Discounts for PTPTN can ease the financial burden of students regardless of race. Reduction in university admission fees will also be enjoyed by all races. Indian housewives can also benefit from EPF initiative. This is part of an initiative that can be enjoyed by all races.”
Nevertheless, underlining the need to ensure that the benefits trickle to the relevant and those really in need, he suggested the following:
- Don’t set the allocation ceiling for Tamil National Type school. Let all Tamil schools apply for provision for maintenance and repair. Almost all Tamil schools are not getting allotment for upgrading school toilets as announced by Government since almost all Tamil schools are government aid schools and not government schools. Thus more allocation can be allocated to Tamil schools for this purpose.
- Reducing bureaucracy for allocation applications by Tamil schools to the Ministry of Education Malaysia. Bureaucracy in the applications by Indian entrepreneurs to National Persons and MyStart grants need to be reduced and instead should be simplified.
- The criteria for applying for allocation for the maintenance of non-Islamic houses of worship should also be reduced and simplified to ensure this allocation is accessible to all parties. There’s no reason to tighten criteria if our purpose is to help those who need it the most.
- MITRA needs to rearrange priorities to help groups and activities that are not listed in the assistance that have been allocated for ministry.
If these matters can be thoroughly researched by the government, then this planned budget can help all the people in need and therefore can bring multiple benefits to all Malaysians especially Indians, Ganabatirau added.
–WE