The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) has been officially placed under the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) with immediate effect, following approval from the Cabinet.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the decision to transfer MITRA under his ministry was finalised recently and would be gazetted within this week.
“I am confident that with the strong cooperation of the ministry’s top management, led by the Secretary-General and supported by two Deputy Secretaries-General, Kesuma will carry out this responsibility effectively,” he said.
He was speaking at the Gathering with Indian Community Leaders and the Presentation of Approval Letters for the Dharma Madani Programme, held recently at the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) building.
Ramanan said the move would place Kesuma in charge of supervising and regulating MITRA’s operations, including administrative management and the distribution of financial assistance.
According to him, the transfer is aimed at strengthening governance and improving the effectiveness of programmes implemented for the benefit of the Indian community.
Addressing concerns over fund transparency, Ramanan stressed that monitoring mechanisms had been introduced and were being continuously enhanced to ensure accountability.
He said information on recipients of assistance would be made publicly available as part of efforts to prevent misuse and enhance public confidence.
“All funds channelled through MITRA will be disclosed openly on the agency’s official website at www.mitra.gov.my. This is to ensure transparency and safeguard against any form of abuse,” he said.
As an example, Ramanan noted that 3,000 first-year Indian students at higher education institutions had received new laptops under the Student Device Initiative, involving an allocation of RM7.9 million.
He added that the list of beneficiaries for the programme had also been published on MITRA’s website for public reference.
The minister expressed hope that the new administrative structure would further strengthen MITRA’s role in supporting socio-economic development among the Indian community in Malaysia.
-HR HUB
