Ramanan said such accusations should not be made without understanding how Mitra’s programmes were implemented.

“Last year, I chaired the Mitra special task force.

“A total of RM100 million was allocated and fully utilised, with transparency, integrity and efficiency,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

The deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister also said all recipients were publicly named and programme details were made available.

“So how can anyone claim that Mitra has failed?”

His remarks follow comments by current Mitra chairman and Batu MP P Prabakaran, who told the Dewan Rakyat that frequent leadership changes in Mitra and its predecessor, the Socioeconomic Development of the Indian Community Unit (Sedic), had disrupted long-term efforts to assist the Indian community.

Mitra was rebranded from Sedic in 2018 to address poverty and promote economic development among the Indian B40 community.

Ramanan went on to say that he was more upset by statements linking Mitra’s challenges to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Mitra comes under the Prime Minister’s Department.

He said there were “irrational” claims by some that they had lost patience with the PMO and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim himself.

“If you have failed, don’t blame the prime minister.

“As politicians, we must think before we speak— not once or twice, but many times.”