Nothing fair about Indians getting pittance, MIPP leader tells Ramanan

BUDGET 2025 | A Perikatan Nasional leader today took Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister R Ramanan to task for saying Budget 2025 does not discriminate against any community.

“Ramanan, you were elected to defend the Indian community.

“Yet, you are defending a government that has given Indians, yet again, an insulting RM100 million crumbs and bones, and worse, you are making excuses under a biased Madani logic.

“Let me remind you that there is nothing fair when others get billions, but we Indians, the poorest and most marginalised community only get an insulting RM100 million grant and RM30 million in soft loans year after year,” Malaysian Indian People Party (MIPP) information chief Suthan Mookiah said on TikTok.

On Oct 21, Suthan (above, left) criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for retaining the same amount of allocation for the Indian community.

He also pointed out that the government allocated RM600 million to refurbish the Sultan Abdul Samad and Carcosa Seri Negara buildings but only provided RM130 million for the Indian community.

Yesterday, Ramanan (above, right), without naming anyone, lashed out at those who claimed that Anwar was marginalising the Indians.

“For the Indian community, the prime minister has said it so many times… not to divide (allocations according to communities).

“(Certain parties) say only RM130 million has been given to the Indian community, does this mean the allocation provided for health is not for the Indian community? That Indians won’t get it?

“Is that what they mean? RM64 billion for the Education Ministry... is education specifically for national schools or Chinese schools? No, (the allocation) is for all (communities),” he was reported as saying.

‘Don’t mislead us’

It should be noted that yesterday, Tamil news portal Vanakam Malaysia reported Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng raising concerns about the allocation given to the Indian community.

“I would like to voice concerns from Indians, where the government allocated RM130 million for 2025, just like last year.

“They want the allocation to be increased to RM200 million,” the former finance minister said.

Unimpressed with Ramanan’s remark, Suthan accused the deputy minister of trying to mislead the community.

For starters, the MIPP leader said he was not referring to the general allocation provided under Budget 2025, which would benefit all Malaysians.

“This is about special needs funding given to uplift marginalised communities,” Suthan said, claiming other communities got bigger allocations.

He then challenged Ramanan to get Indians RM500 million in allocation, adding the community only wants a fair allocation.

“Remember, this is not for you or me…this is for our community. We only want fair share (in terms of) inclusion and representation,” said Suthan.

Budget 2025 doesn't discriminate against any community - Ramanan

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

Budget 2025 reactions from ministers, state govts

Anwar tables RM421b Budget 2025 for the '85pct'

MP SPEAKS | Govt needs to uplift Indian community from poverty