By Nesamalar Kathirvellu
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 August 2025: The government is boosting digital access for pupils in national type Tamil primary schools (SJKT) in two ways, by improving ICT laboratories in selected schools and continuing to distribute reconditioned laptops throughout the system. According to Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) made the decision to provide national type Tamil primary schools with refurbished computers based on the available funding.
Improvements to the ICT labs, RM5 million has been allocated to outfit 50 SJKTs with ICT lab apparatus. The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) handle the funding. Laptop assistance by MITRA’s refurbished laptop scheme, which began in 2023, will continue this year. As of August 19, 2025, 6,000 computers were supplied to around 520 SJKTs nationally using equipment provided under warranty and a Google CSR agreement. MITRA’s monitoring shows a favourable impact on students, teachers and school administrators.
In response to concerns regarding the usage of refurbished equipment, Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan stated that the decision demonstrates careful financial management, allowing MITRA to offer more activities while still satisfying the needs of schools. “A significant amount of money will be spent if we provide new laptops, and how will we be able to fund other initiatives if we spend all of this money?” in Parliament, he stated at a news conference.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated in Parliament that the roll out of laptops is being done in phases and that the ICT lab modifications (RM5 million for 50 schools) are a part of larger, better coordinated aid to the Indian population in 2025. During Prime Minister’s Question Time, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim informed the Dewan Rakyat that the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) project has set aside nearly RM1bil for the Indian community as well. He added that in addition to Mitra, there were other programs that provided relief to the Malaysian Indian community.
