Indian voice missing from 12th Malaysia Plan, says poverty expert

 

No major effort has been made by Indian-based political parties or civil society organisations to host public discussions on the status of Indians in the 12th Malaysia Plan, says Denison Jayasooria.

PETALING JAYA: An expert in poverty issues has pointed out that Indians have been excluded in the development of the 12th Malaysia Plan.

“It is sad to note that there has been no major effort by Indian-based political parties and major Indian-based civil society organisations to host public discussions on the 12th Malaysia Plan,” Denison Jayasooria, a sociologist and research fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said in a statement today.

The 12th Malaysia Plan will be released in Parliament on Sept 27.

Among others, the plan will focus on improving health and well-being of all – especially in living with Covid-19 as life will not be the same – economic growth, inclusive development, addressing poverty and inequality and ensuring the natural resources are well-managed.

“At this stage, it is too late to incorporate ideas except to say that all Malaysians irrespective of race and religion must have access to all major development plans.”

He stressed that the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) under the national unity ministry must be more engaged with the Indian community at the state and district levels.

Based on the 2010 Census, 95% of Malaysian Indians are in 38 districts in eight states in Peninsular Malaysia.

“The key strategy is to set up 38 Mitra task forces in these districts. Mitra must establish consultative groups and be more in touch with local communities.

“Mitra must work with the statistics department to gather data and statistics on the current status of the Indian community.” - FMT