Cabinet agrees to place MITRA back in JPM - Fahmi

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the Unity Government spokesman, said the matter was agreed upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang at the Cabinet meeting today.

"The Cabinet decided to return MITRA to JPM. (On the) details on the enforcement and effective date, (you) can refer to MITRA," he told a press conference here.

On MITRA's new direction, Fahmi said it would also be announced by MITRA.

"Of course, with the return of MITRA to JPM, it will be given specific focus areas to ensure that not only will it be managed well, but also to have its objectives achieved, or maybe expanded," he said.

MITRA, originally known as the Socioeconomic Development of the Indian Community (SEDIC), was established in 2014 before being renamed MITRA in 2018 and placed under the Ministry of National Unity.

In September 2022, it was placed within the purview of the JPM.

In December 2023, MITRA was once again relocated under the Unity Ministry, and in February this year, Batu Member of Parliament, P Prabakaran, was appointed as the new chairman of MITRA Special Task Force Committee replacing Datuk R. Ramanan.

On March 27, Ramanan called for MITRA to be placed back under JPM after taking into account the views of various parties, especially the Indian community who believe that MITRA, as an asset and arm of the Indian community, is more 'comfortable' being within the Prime Minister's purview.

Ramanan, who is also the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, said the call was also made because the infrastructure and resources under the JPM are more advanced compared to other ministries, thus facilitating more efficient management for the special unit.

-- BERNAMA