KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam welcomed measures for the Indian community that were announced in Budget 2018 today, calling the benefits "phenomenal”.

The MIC president said announcements such as an increased seven per cent quota for Indians in public universities and the civil service were steps the community has long sought.

"We have been talking about these every year at the MIC annual general meeting. It finally happened,” Subramaniam told reporters outside the Parliament lobby.

Other benefits for the community include RM500 million spread across five years to help them purchase AS1M units.

The health minister was also pleased with the increased allocation to his ministry, saying this would allow better healthcare services for the public.

"MOH has been given RM26.5 billion. Apart from the increase in last year budget, an extra RM1.5 billion than before has been given,” Subramaniam said.