{
  "id": 16807030,
  "title": "Aid expanded to gurdwaras, churches",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/aid-expanded-to-gurdwaras-churches",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T22:00:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1565024/aid-expanded-gurdwaras-churches"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government is increasing financial aid to gurdwaras and Indian Christian churches through the Harmoni Madani initiative. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan directed the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) to identify additional eligible places of worship for assistance. Ramanan emphasized that this program complements the Dharma Madani initiative, which supports Hindu temples.\n\nAt a cheque presentation ceremony, Ramanan noted that 164 places of worship across the country had received a combined RM3.28 million under Harmoni Madani. Of these, 57 gurdwaras and 12 Indian Christian churches received aid, with the remainder being Hindu temples. Separately, RM15.42 million has been allocated for 771 Hindu temples under Dharma Madani, with each temple receiving RM20,000.\n\nThe Uyarvu Madani grant programme has garnered 8,368 applications, significantly surpassing its initial target of 700 recipients. Ramanan stated that the number of successful applicants could rise to between 1,100 and 1,150, depending on available funding. Mitra is also exploring additional funding sources to aid more small businesses.\n\nRamanan met with Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo to discuss skills training and workforce development, aligning with Penang's investment goals ahead of 2030. The conversation centered on training programs to meet industry demand, with Penang anticipating the need for around 40,000 skilled workers by that year.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}