Malaysia’s Indian community is set to benefit from a sweeping package of government initiatives totaling RM42.25 million, announced just ahead of Deepavali and personally approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The measures, revealed on October 15, 2025, represent the most significant targeted investment in years for the country’s Indian minority, with a strong focus on education, poverty eradication, and cultural empowerment.
According to Bernama, the new initiatives were unveiled by Datuk Seri R Ramanan, chairman of the Indian Community Initiatives Implementation Committee (JPIMI) and deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, at a special press conference in Kuala Lumpur. "The government is determined to ensure that no community is left behind, especially during important festive periods like Deepavali," Ramanan emphasized, underscoring the administration’s commitment to inclusivity.
At the heart of the announcement is the Kalvi Madani free tuition programme, which will provide supplementary education to students in 200 Tamil National Type Schools (SJKT) nationwide. Backed by an RM8 million allocation, the programme is modeled after the successful Madani Tuition Programme previously implemented in Kelantan and Terengganu. As reported by Free Malaysia Today, Ramanan explained that Kalvi Madani aims to level the educational playing field for Tamil school students, many of whom come from lower-income families and have historically faced barriers to academic advancement.
But the government’s education push doesn’t stop there. By December 31, 2025, a total of 3,000 first-year students at institutions of higher learning will receive new laptops as part of the Peranti Siswa programme, which has been allocated RM7.95 million. The initiative prioritizes students from the B40 group—the bottom 40% of income earners—reflecting the administration’s focus on addressing digital divides that became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Another RM7.95 million has been set aside to provide laptops to 3,000 first-year students from B40 families by Dec 31," Ramanan told reporters, as quoted by Bernama.
School infrastructure is also getting a much-needed boost. An allocation of RM12.8 million will be distributed for maintenance, minor repairs, and furniture purchases at 173 SJKTs. The specific schools to benefit will be identified by the Ministry of Education, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most urgently needed. "The list of schools will be identified by the education ministry," Ramanan clarified, according to Free Malaysia Today. This targeted funding acknowledges the longstanding disparities in facilities between government and government-aided Tamil schools, with the latter often relying heavily on community fundraising for basic upkeep.
Beyond education, the government is taking concrete steps to tackle poverty within the Indian community. The Eradication of Extreme Poverty Programme will distribute RM3.5 million through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), directly benefiting 1,064 recipients. Each will receive between RM300 and a maximum of RM1,750, depending on their assessed need. The recipient list will be drawn from eKasih, the national poverty database, ensuring that aid reaches the most vulnerable households. "This step will benefit 1,064 recipients who will receive RM300 or a maximum rate of RM1,750. The list of recipients will be obtained from eKasih," Ramanan explained at the press conference.
Higher education access is being further expanded with the continuation of the Early Entry Assistance for Higher Education Institutions 5.0 programme. With RM10 million allocated, B40 students entering higher education will receive RM2,000 each, while students with disabilities are eligible for RM3,000. Applications for this assistance open on October 17, 2025, at 3pm and close on November 17, 2025, via the official Mitra website. The initiative is designed to ease the financial burden of university entry, which can be daunting for low-income families, and to ensure that no student is forced to forgo higher education for lack of funds.
In a move that blends cultural preservation with community development, the government also announced the Dharma Madani programme—a RM20 million initiative aimed at empowering houses of worship to serve as community and cultural centers. Applications for this programme open on October 17, 2025, at 3pm and close on November 3, 2025, through the Ministry of National Unity’s website. The first phase will see up to 1,000 temples receive allocations of up to RM20,000 each. Notably, only 10% of these funds can be used for operational costs and equipment purchases; the remainder is earmarked for cultural and religious activities such as religious classes, thevaram (devotional singing), and traditional dance.
Ramanan stressed the importance of accountability and performance in the distribution of these funds. "If these 1,000 temples meet all the requirements and qualifications, submit performance reports to Mitra on time, all in a structured manner, we will give them an opportunity in the second phase," he announced, as reported by Bernama. This approach aims to ensure that the funds are used effectively and that the benefits reach the intended communities.
The new initiatives come at a time when Malaysia’s Indian community, which makes up about 7% of the population, continues to grapple with socioeconomic challenges. While the community has made significant contributions to the nation’s development, disparities in education, income, and access to public resources remain persistent issues. The government’s latest moves are widely seen as both a recognition of these challenges and a signal of renewed political focus on minority welfare.
The announcement has been met with cautious optimism from community leaders and education advocates. Many see the Kalvi Madani tuition programme and the laptop distribution as particularly timely, given the disruptions to learning caused by the pandemic and the growing importance of digital literacy. The targeted school repairs and furniture upgrades are also expected to improve the learning environment for thousands of students, potentially narrowing achievement gaps that have persisted for decades.
On the cultural front, the Dharma Madani programme is being hailed as a step towards strengthening the role of temples not only as places of worship but as vibrant community hubs. By funding religious classes, dance, and music, the initiative aims to preserve cultural traditions while fostering social cohesion. However, some community members have raised questions about the long-term sustainability of such programmes and the mechanisms in place to ensure transparency in fund disbursement.
As Deepavali approaches, the government’s package of initiatives offers both practical support and a symbolic gesture of inclusion. For many Indian Malaysians, it’s a sign that their needs and aspirations are being heard at the highest levels of government. Whether these initiatives will deliver lasting change remains to be seen, but for now, they have sparked hope and anticipation in a community eager for progress.