'RM600m for building makeover, RM130m for Indians' - PN leader chides PM

BUDGET 2025 | A Perikatan Nasional leader has criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly neglecting the plight of the Indian community in Budget 2025.

Malaysian Indian People Party (MIPP) information chief Suthan Mookiah noted how Anwar had allocated a whopping RM600 million to refurbish the Sultan Abdul Samad and Carcosa Seri Negara buildings but only RM130 million for the Indian community.

“I’m worried because the allocation for Indians, the poorest and marginalised in the country, is getting smaller and smaller year after year.

“Billions can be allocated for other communities, heck, two old buildings can get RM600 million allocation but once again, Indians get RM100 million for Mitra (Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit) and RM30 million in soft loans under Tekun (Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga).

“You keep throwing Indians mere bones and crumbs and tell us to be grateful and quiet. I want to ask Mr Nambiar (in reference to Anwar), are Indians now unwanted stepchildren?” he said on TikTok today.

It’s not only insulting but a death sentence for the future of Indians in Malaysia, Suthan (above) added.

The late MN Nambiar was a popular Tamil actor in the 1960s and 1970s who often played villainous roles.

When delivering Budget 2025 last Friday, Anwar announced that the government would allocate RM600 million to restore Sultan Abdul Samad and Carcosa Seri Negara buildings, in an attempt to improve the value of these two landmarks.

This includes building a multi-storey bridge connecting Taman Botani Perdana and Carcosa Seri Negara.

He also announced RM40 billion as loan facilities for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Giving a breakdown, Anwar said it includes RM3.2 billion for the disabled, RM130 million for the Indian community and RM5 billion for bumiputera small and medium enterprises.

Mara and Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) will also allocate RM800 million in financing for bumiputera entrepreneurs, while the government is giving RM1.3 billion to G1-G4 contractors, especially among bumiputera.

Does govt care?

Suthan said Indian Malaysians had long requested an intervention programme to assist the needy in the community, with a minimum allocation of RM500 million annually.

“But the government didn’t care enough to act. Are they purposely leaving Indians to rot while the rest of the country moves forward?” he asked.

Suthan urged Indian lawmakers in the coalition government to challenge the administration on its failure to allot adequate funding to address the community’s plight.

“Time to question the government’s sincerity towards the Indian community. The Indian MPs, senators and assemblypersons must be held responsible and question this failure.

“If not, they are shameless and should just resign.”

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