Budget 2025: Allocate RM200 million to empower Indians’ brightest minds, senator says
A senator has called upon the government to allocate RM200 million for a foundation that would empower Indians in the education sector.
“How do you empower education of Indian children? Instead of giving out handouts, send them to attend good courses. Indians needs education, economic, social empowerment.
“Why should our intelligent children study locally? Why shouldn’t they study overseas? Here is my suggestion to the prime minister.
“Start a foundation to empower Indian. Park RM100-RM200 million. Send top scorers from the Indian community to the top 10 universities in the world with the funding,” said Senator C Sivaraj of MIC via a video posted on TikTok yesterday.
The call mirrors the call made by Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) in the Dewan Rakyat while debating Budget 2025 allocations yesterday.
He agreed that the budget of a nation cannot be catered for the needs of one particular community but there are allocations for a particular community.
“The Budget is not for any particular community but to say it is not a race based budget would be a lie. PM allocated RM2 billion for Jakim, then for Mara, Felda, petrol subsidy for the Malays.
“There is nothing wrong in that because Malays are the majority and they must be empowered and are facing difficulties. On that note, Indians are in the same boat.
He also said that certain quarters should not be going around, telling Indians to be silent about the budget.
“It is not right to tell us to be silent. Most of the Indians backed this government. They should do something for this community.
“It is not right to say that he has given RM130 million which has been given in the last three budgets.”
The RM130 million was in reference to RM100 million for MITRA and RM30 million financial aid via Tekun Nasional and Amanah Ikhtiar.
“We need a long term strategic plan like an Indian Blueprint. The 13th Malaysia Plan begins in 2025. If there are no plans, we would be left out.
The Malaysian Indian Blueprint was launched during the Najib administration.
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