PUTRAJAYA, Nov 10 — A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer will join the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) Special Task Force Committee to help monitor the management of its fund.
Its committee chairman Datuk R. Ramanan said this is to ensure the fund is fully utilised and distributed more transparently to develop the Indian community.
"I thank (MACC chief) Tan Sri Azam Baki because he has given us his officer who will also be present (during meetings) and will guide us to make sure no mismanagement (of funds) happens,” he told a press conference today.
The move will ensure every Mitra application is subject to a clearer screening process.
Ramanan was commenting on Azam's statement on Tuesday (November 7) that MACC investigations into the misappropriation of Mitra funds had been completed, and those involved had been charged.
Azam was quoted as recommending that Mitra's management procedure be strengthened.
In 2021, over 300 companies and non-governmental organisations were reported to have been investigated over alleged irregularities in grant allocations worth RM203 million issued by Mitra since 2019.
Mitra committee member RSN Rayer, who was present at the press conference, said he was confident that perception towards Mitra would improve in the future.
“I also believe that under the leadership of the chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Mitra will achieve its objective of helping more people from the Indian community,” said Rayer, who is also the Jelutong MP.
Asked about Mitra's plans for next year to improve the socioeconomic status of Indians, Ramanan said they would focus more on education.
He added that over 10,000 students had received Mitra grant allocations, with 7,000 getting aid totalling RM30.96 million this year.
— Bernama
