Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister R Ramanan today received the Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang Yang Amat Di Mulia – Peringkat Pertama Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP), which carries the title “Datuk Seri”.

The Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah presented the award at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the 65th birthday of the sultan, at Balai Mahkota, Istana Abdulaziz, Kuantan.

Ramanan was among 27 individuals who received the SSAP award.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to His Royal Highness for the award,” he told reporters.

Appointed as deputy minister during the cabinet reshuffle last December, Ramanan, 43, is the Sungai Buloh MP and PKR’s deputy information chief I.

He has spearheaded three initiatives to enhance the economic standing of Indian entrepreneurs in the country, including the “Spumi Goes Big” financing scheme through Tekun Nasional, which allocates RM30 million in funds; the “Prosperity, Empowerment, and A New Normal” (Penn) programme under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, with RM50 million specifically for empowering Indian women; and the Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i (Brief-i).

“Of course, if we look at the current development of the Indian community, it is very promising (and) we have many initiatives in place.

“(However, there is) much more that needs to be done, but so far, we can see that the Madani government has implemented many programmes for the community.

“(Among them are) financing, assistance to help the community expand their businesses through economic development. Mitra (Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit) is also running welfare programmes such as healthcare and education aid, so it’s truly an all-rounded effort, not just limited to economic support,” he said.

The Kuala Lumpur-born leader previously served as chairperson of Mitra’s special committee.

He oversaw the utilisation of RM100 million allocated to Mitra under Budget 2023 for development and socio-economic empowerment programmes for the Indian community, benefiting over 100,000 people.

Furthermore, under Ramanan’s leadership, Mitra received a “low risk” rating from the MACC for 2023.

- Bernama

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