By Selangor Journal Staff
KLANG – Selangor emerged as the first state to provide a special program for young entrepreneur’s development among the Indian community with an allocation of RM4 million for 2017 and 2018.
Dato ‘Menteri Besar, Amirudin Shari, said the Entrepreneur Development Program managed to help about 450 new Indian youth entrepreneurs, in 2017 before rising to more than 1,000 in 2018.
“The Government has started a new move with an allocation of RM1 million to empower new entrepreneurs, in 2017 and has become the first state to have such special programs.
“With an allocation of RM3 million in 2018, I would like to report that we are helping more than 1,000 new entrepreneurs in the Indian community,” he said.
Amirudin stated this at the State Level Deepavali Celebration at Jalan Tengku Kelana, last night. His Royal Highness (DYTM) Raja Muda Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah, was also present.
He said the move was taken to ensure that the Indian community including young people benefited from the economic prosperity of the state.
According to Amirudin, besides being the first state to help young people interested in business, the State Government was also the first to recognize the community leaders of the Indian community.
“It started with 25 to 27 chairmen of community leaders of the Indian community, the number has now risen to 48 and above because we want to make sure everyone gets their attention and protection.
“We are the first state in Malaysia to provide allowances, contributions and appreciation to Indian community leaders,” said Amirudin.
Amirudin said the State Government was also concerned with the education aspect of the community and has increased the allocation for Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) from RM1.5 million, in 2008 to over RM5 million, in 2018.
The state-level Deepavali celebration was made more meaningful when Raja Muda Selangor’s Royal Highness (DYTM), Tengku Amir Shah, set out to celebrate the celebration with the local community.
The lively event in the area known as Little India, the was launched by the hammering of the traditional Indian drums by Tengku Amir.
Besides being served with a variety of traditional Indian cuisine, visitors were also entertained with cultural performances.
Meanwhile, Dato ‘Menteri Besar, Amirudin Shari when addressing his speech, said that the presence of Tengku Amir reflects his love for the people of Selangor.
“Indeed, the presence of Tuanku expresses the concern for the unity and development of the plural society, in Selangor especially the Indian community.
“This ensures that the machinery of the State Government and its people work as a team to develop the state, framing the agreement and thus ensuring Selangor as a safe and peaceful state,” said Amirudin.
