PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra), which has been mired in controversy with claims that millions had been siphoned out, will undergo a comprehensive audit to clean up its accounts.
The detailed audit will help clear up all past allegations on misappropriation of funds, said newly-appointed Mitra special vehicle committee chairman Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan.
“We have to set a specific timeline for the audit. We will look at the details from the audit findings, and make decisions from that point,” he said.
However, Ramanan gave an assurance that the move would not be a witch-hunt.
“If there are people found guilty, they will have to face the consequences. We want to move forward and not talk about the past any more.
“If we are busy hunting criminals, it means the main objective to move forward in empowering our community will be ignored.
“The Prime Minister only ordered one thing – that all the people need to be empowered,” he said yesterday.
Asked about the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations into Mitra, he said it was best to let the agency handle the matter.
In 2021, Mitra was investigated over allegations of misappropriation of millions of ringgit between 2019 and 2021.
Earlier, Ramanan chaired the committee’s first meeting since his appointment to the position by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Mitra was launched by then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in 2013 as the Socio-Economic Development Unit of the Indian community before it was disbanded by the Pakatan Harapan government.
It was rebranded as Mitra and placed under the Unity Ministry.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob returned Mitra to the PM’s Department following a request by MIC president Tan Sri Vigneswaran in September 2022.
Ramanan said Mitra would now take a new direction, focusing on uplifting the Indian community.
The agency has been given a RM100mil allocation under Budget 2023, of which RM30mil will be in the form of grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
In ensuring transparency in the allocation of funds, Ramanan said applications could only be made via its official website (www.mitra.gov.my) and would be announced publicly.
“So far 448 NGOs from all over the country have applied and we want this process to be transparent with all recipients made known to the people.
“We will be focusing on 10 key areas including women and young entrepreneurs. Applications for grants have also been extended until May 28.
“We will also restructure, expand and revamp Mitra,” he said.
All these new efforts will be carried out by the new committee, which has four secretariat members including Dewan Negara senator Datuk C. Sivarrajh, Klang MP V. Ganabatirau, Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran and Mitra director-general Raveendran Nair.
