The government will once again allocate a grant of RM100 million to the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) to improve the socio-economic situation, skills development, health, education and women empowerment of the Indian community.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said 80 percent of the allocation would be programme-based and not organisation-specific.

“The government remains sensitive to the difficulties and specific challenges faced by segments of the Indian community,” he said when tabling the 2020 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat today.

For the Orang Asli, Lim said RM57 million will be given to the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) to provide and improve the welfare and assistance of the community.

“In addition, another RM83 million is also allocated for overall economic development, education and infrastructure of the Orang Asli,” he said.

To support the development and repair of basic infrastructure in new villages, the government will continue to provide RM85 million in 2020, he added. - Bernama