JOHOR BARU: The representation of political parties inside the National Council for Indian Community Affairs should be kept to a minimum to ensure the focus remains on the community’s development and welfare, say associations.
Johor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president AN Chandran said the establishment of the council is a step in the right direction, but emphasised that it should primarily comprise experts from various fields.
“We need experts from various fields, such as academic professionals, business community representatives, welfare education specialists and career development training specialists.
“Timely execution of programmes is important too, as it will ensure that the community benefits without unnecessary delays,” he said.
Coming together: Chandran (left) and Sivakumar.
He said this when asked to comment on the National Unity Ministry’s proposal to establish the National Council for Indian Community Affairs as part of the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit’s (Mitra) Action Plan Roadmap.
Mitra, he said, should also deliver its promises and create tangible improvements in the lives of those it is meant to assist, especially the B40 families.
“While Mitra programmes are intended to assist these families, the community has yet to see visible results or success stories, which is why all future programmes should include a robust monitoring system.
“The results and progress of these initiatives should be transparently shared with the community to ensure accountability and continuous improvement,” he added.
Chandran also noted the importance of having community engagement and feedback in shaping the initiatives under the Mitra Action Plan.
“The Indian community should be actively involved in the planning and execution phases. Regular town hall meetings and feedback sessions can help ensure that the programmes are aligned with the actual needs of the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Johor Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar said education and skill development must also be highlighted as critical areas needing attention.
“Investing in education and vocational training is essential for the long-term uplift of the Indian community.
“Scholarships, training programmes and partnerships with educational institutions can provide opportunities for our youth to excel and secure a better future,” he said.
Economic empowerment is another area of focus, Sivakumar said, noting that there should be initiatives to support Indian entrepreneurs and small businesses through grants, low-interest loans, as well as business development workshops.
Sivakumar said that with these adjustments, the Mitra Action Plan Roadmap can more effectively serve the Indian community and drive meaningful change.
“The collaborative approach between the community and Mitra promises a more inclusive and effective strategy for addressing the unique challenges faced by the Indian community in Malaysia,” he said.
Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy recently said the establishment of the National Council for Indian Community Affairs in Malaysia is one of three proposals in the Mitra Strategic Action Plan Report.
The council, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will be responsible for making decisions on Mitra’s policies and allocations.
The other two proposals are the creation of a Mitra trust fund and the restructuring of the agency’s organisational structure.
