Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan says MITRA will continue assisting eligible gurdwaras and churches serving the Indian community.
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) will continue its assistance programme for places of worship serving the Indian community, including gurdwaras and churches, to strengthen their role in community development.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said he had instructed MITRA’s director-general to continue the programme and assist as many eligible places of worship as possible.
“I have informed MITRA’s director-general to continue the programme and include as many gurdwaras and churches serving the Indian community as possible,” he said at a press conference after the Dharma Madani and Harmoni Madani programmes here today.
Ramanan said the government had channelled RM3.28 million to 164 Hindu, Sikh and Christian places of worship serving the Indian community nationwide through the programmes.
“Under the first series of the Harmoni Madani Programme, RM1.38 million was approved for 69 places of worship, comprising 57 gurdwaras and 12 churches.
“Each received RM20,000 to support religious, spiritual, cultural and community activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ramanan said 95 Hindu temples had received a total of RM1.9 million under Phase Two of the Dharma Madani Programme.
He said the total allocation approved under the programme had reached RM15.42 million, benefiting 771 Hindu places of worship nationwide.
“Phase Two of the Dharma Madani Programme is ongoing, and we have approved a total of RM15.42 million for 771 Hindu places of worship across the country,” he said.
Ramanan said the assistance reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening places of worship and expanding their role in the socioeconomic development of the Indian community.
He added that the funding would help places of worship organise activities benefiting the community, particularly in education, spiritual and character development, cultural programmes and youth empowerment.
