Why the Indian blueprint will fail

Since the launch of the Malaysian Indian Blueprint by the prime minister, much has been written about the pros and cons of the plan.

The opposition has really gone to town criticizing the plan. Saying the plan is ill devised and that it is a propaganda tool for the 14th General Elections which is expected to be held soon.

Thinking the plan must be given a chance to prove itself, I was willing to see how it was implemented before passing judgment.

It was only after trying to contact some of the key figures responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan I became convinced the plan will fail; not because the plan is not a good one but the attitude of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC ) which is the main Indian party in the present government and Indian officials seconded to the Prime Minister’s Department recommended by MIC to oversee the implementation.

Trying to get information from them is like extracting water from a stone. Forget about trying to get an appointment to see them. I fail to see why the government has appointed former academics to these posts when they exhibit such hesitancy and disdain to help.

Neither are these academics brilliant, or experts in development or Indian economic development in Malaysia. Never heard of them till they were appointed to these positions!

Secondly, the plan is not inclusive of all Indians in Malaysia. As it stands, the plan is only catering to the Hindu population. Granted the largest portion of the Indian population are Hindus.

But the other sections of the Indian population like Christians, the Sikhs and Buddhists are forgotten.

The Indian Muslims have asked for bumiputera status and the prime minister has promised to consider the issue. This group knows they are better off classed as Malays than Indians.

The policy makers, if they are serious about the transformation plan, need to re assess the Indian blueprint and include all sections of the Indian population.

Another body claiming to uplift and encourage Indian youths, the Sri Murugan Centre is also going on the same perilous path of not being inclusive.

As its name and logo imply, Murugan is a Hindu deity worshipped mainly by Hindus, especially the Tamils.

The organizers of the Sri Murugan Centre when asked about their non-inclusiveness facetiously reply they welcome everyone to attend their programmes. Even those of other races. Consciously, ignoring the elephant in the room.

It must be said when the prime minister launched the Indian blueprint he intended the programmes to be inclusive of all Indians.

Many years of planning and millions of dollars invested by the government may not achieve its aim because of men on the ground.

The Indian population is small, only about seven percent, and these high handed implementers are fragmenting the population even further.

If these implementers do not wake up and realize they have put in these positions to help all poor Indians regardless of religion and ethnicity in need of help, the Indian blueprint is bound to fail!.

The government should rein in the implementers and closely scrutinize their activities. - Mkini