KUALA LUMPUR: A bigger allocation is expected for the Indian community in the 2015 Budget which will be tabled in October.
Ministry of Finance secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said the bigger budget is aimed in assisting the Indian community to uplift their socio-economic state on par with the transformation of Malaysia’s economy.
He said the government is in the midst of getting feedback from Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the MIC representing ministers and deputy ministers -- Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, P. Kamalanathan and Datuk M. Saravanan -- on the identified areas so that there would be a rough idea on the amount of allocation needed.
Mohd Irwan said the government was always concern about the welfare of the Indian community and the areas which will be looked into for providing allocation is education, entrepreneurship, skill training, upgrading of Tamil schools and crematoriums.
He said other areas the gov will also look into issues regarding temples and school drop outs.
Mohd Irwan said the government was serious about issues regarding school dropouts as it does not want these young generation to get involved in social ills.
"This issues (school drop out) does not only involved the Indian community, but this is also happening among the Malay and Chinese student which the government has planned to reduce the number," he told reporters after the breaking of fast event organised by the Secretariat For Empowerment Of Indian Entrepreneurs (SEED) for orphans and the needy of Nur Qaseh Shelter Home which was held at the Hilton Hotel here tonight which saw the orphans and the needy receiving duit Raya and Baju Raya.
Mohd Irwan also said the recommendations made by the Indian community will be considered in the 11th Malaysia Plan, which will be presented by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak next year.
The Budget 2014 tabled last year, saw a total of RM100m allocated for education and skills training involving 176 Tamil preschools and 45 Tamil schools while another RM50m was provided to aid Indian entrepreneurs through the Skim Pembiayaan Muda India under TEKUN.
