Findings of the Working Group Discussions (Part 1)

by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria with the assistance of Mrs Jasmine Adaickalam & Mr Victor Joseph

1) INTRODUCTION

A series of working group discussions on Malaysian Indians and the Tenth Malaysia Plan was hosted by YB Dato SK Devamany, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department at Putrajaya from August 24 to 26, 2009
This programme was organized and facilitated by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (UKM Institute of Ethnic Studies) to receive input and feedback on the Ninth Malaysia Plan’s policies and programmes with a view to provide input to the Tenth Malaysia Plan.

A total of forty seven people participated over the three days with a minimum of fifteen people taking part at each of the five working groups. Among them seventeen were representatives from civil society, twelve from the public sector including those from the Economic Planning Unit, nine from academic institutions both public and private and the another nine from the business and commercial sector.
The series which began on August 24, 2009 started with YB Dato Devamany stating clearly that the Prime Minister had given a directive to engage with as many community groups as possible to hear their views.

He acknowledged that while this series focused on the Indian minority, he encouraged the participants to look into similar issues that impact the poor and low income irrespective of their diverse ethnicity or religious backgrounds. What is important is, to formulate policies and programmes which will enable every Malaysian to ‘plug into government provisions’.


2) REFLECTIONS ON NINTH MALAYSIA PLAN PROVISIONS

During the course of discussion it was pointed out that there were a number of specific initiatives undertaken in addressing the Indian concerns. Following are some of those:-

Skills training opportunities are provided to Indian youths through public funded training institutions such as the Industrial Training Institutes (ILP), Giat MARA & Industrial Youth training Institute (IKBN)

EPU or the Ministry of Finance has provided special funds for the recruitment and funding of Indian youths to undertake technical/skills training in certain recognized institutions where the federal Government pays for the fees, accommodation and meals. YSS coordinates this programme.

Entrepreneurship Training courses have been introduced to Indian youths through funding provided by the Institute for Entrepreneurship training (INSKEN). This programme is also coordinated by YSS

Micro credit loans are given to Indian youths through Yayasan Tekun to undertake business and income generating projects especially to those who have completed a skills training courses. This programme is also coordinated by YSS

Micro credit loans are given to the urban poor especially women through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM). This programme is targeting the new urban poor through micro credit to undertake or expand a micro business. The project is directly coordinated by AIM.

A special grant was allocated to YSS to undertake social programmes towards holistic development of educationally underachieving Indian youths. This is an on-going programme undertaken since June 2001 under the PINTAS project to address social ills among Indian youths.

Special grants were allocated towards the infrastructure development of Tamil Schools especially those which are partially aided. A total of RM 216.5 million was allocated towards providing new buildings, additional blocks, upgrading buildings and purchase of furniture. This fund impacted over 200 schools.

In addressing the low participation in equity, the government ensured that a certain percentage (15%) of the shares in PNB be reserved for the Indian community thereby enabling a significant number to purchase the shares when it was publically offered.

The establishment of the Cabinet Committee on identifying issues and concerns and monitoring participation of Indians in Government programs and projects which is chaired by the Hon Prime Minister with the secretariat at the Ministry of Human Resources. This Cabinet Committee was established on July 1, 2008 and has held two meetings so far (July 1, 2008 & Feb 23, 2009). The establishment of this cabinet committee is unique as this is the first time a high level committee is established for a minority community.

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FINDINGS OF THE TENTH MALAYSIA PLAN WORKING GROUP DISCUSSIONS HELD FROM AUGUST 24 TO 26, 2009, AT THE DEPUTY MINISTER’S OFFICE IN PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT AT BANGUNAN PERDANA PUTRA, PUTRAJAYA