Syahredzan moots RM100m education fund for Indian students

PARLIAMENT | Syahredzan Johan (Harapan-Bangi) has mooted the setting up of a new education fund dedicated to Indian students entering universities, with an annual allocation of RM100 million.

In debating the Supply Bill 2025, Syahredzan noted there are many available financial assistance for the Indian community, for example RM2,000 subsidy for undergraduates offered under the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).

“But this (RM2,000) is a very small amount, not enough even to buy a good laptop.

“Under the (proposed) Indian Community Education Fund, Indian (university) students are eligible to receive RM20,000 one-off amount to help them fund their studies.

“I am proposing an allocation of RM100 million, so it can benefit 5,000 Malaysians each year,” he said.

Syahredzan said the larger one-off amount could help more Indian students from lower-income families to pursue their higher education.

“I would like to stress that helping the Indian community does not mean we are sidelining Malay-Bumiputera and other races.

“However, we must admit the Indian community is usually marginalised and they are disproportionately disadvantaged from various aspects including education, career and others,” he said.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his Budget 2025 speech announced RM130 million for the Indian community, a similar amount as previously allocated for this year.

From Perikatan Nasional, Malaysian Indian People Party information chief Suthan Mookiah however contrasted the amount to RM600 million allocation to refurbish the Sultan Abdul Samad and Carcosa Seri Negara buildings.

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