12MP, Malaysian families and Malaysian Indians
By Dr Denison Jayasooria
PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri released the 12th Malaysian Plan on Monday in Malaysian parliament.
This is the major development policy statement for Malaysia over the next five years (2021-2025). This policy lays a very strong emphasis that Malaysia is one family irrespective of race, religion, background or geographical location we live in Malaysia.
The theme of the family is very relevant when there are many sections in our society which seek to divide the people by religion or race. A family recognises that while we are one but at the same time there are similarity but also diversity.
It is important in reading the 12 Malaysia Plan majority of the programs are directed to all Malaysians. However, we often look for only specific interventions. It is important as equal citizens of the land we must become aware and plug into the system.
We are members of the Malaysian family and must make our presence felt. We must improve our command in the Malay language and be active citizens. We must claim our rights as per the Federal Constitution as well as carry our responsibilities as a loyal Malaysian citizen. No one can deny us this right as members of the Malaysian family to be active in civil and political matters as we do on economic, social and cultural matters.
The Malaysia Indian concerns appear in Chapter 5 on Addressing Poverty and Building Inclusive Society
In this chapter the focus is on the Poverty line income (PLI) and on Multidimensional poverty Indicator (MPI). Here is about the measurement of who is poor.
There is a well–definedand comprehensive table on household income categories based on 2019 figures about the Bottom 40, Middle 40 and the Top 20. No ethnic breakdown is provided here but who is poor based on income is defined
Families with income below RM1,169 which is food PLI and if below RM2,208 are absolute poor. The 12th Malaysia plan further breaks up Bottom 10 (B10), B20, B30 and then B40. The B40 is below RM4,850. These are income measurements
There is a table on page A-17 on incidence of poverty and in 2019 the national incidence is 5.6%. Bumi is 7.2% and Chinese is 1.4% and Indians are 4.8% and others are 13.5%. 12MP used the 2019 figures.
This means using the 2019 figures there are about 19,440 Indian households in the absolute poverty figures who are in the B10. We need to recheck e-kasih data to see if they are registered and where these families are.
We also need to identify all Indian families in the B40 and create a data base on them so as to ensure that they move over the next few years from the B40 into the M40 category.
Poverty is also being defined from the multi dimension area where there are other indicators beyond income to measure level of education, health and living conditions. These dimensions of educational achievements, good health and living in a clean, safe and friendly neighbourhood are essential. Health is wealth and during this Covid period can cause much suffering and even lead to poverty
Two Specific References on Malaysian Indians
On page 5-10 on Empowerment of minority groups there is reference to low-income Indian community who were assisted by Tekun via the Skim Pembanguan Ushawan Masyarakat India.
There is reference to opportunities for Skills training in TVET programs and opportunities in MRSM and in boarding school.
However, there are no details. Government must issue a detail report of these initiatives on who benefited and what long term impact it has made on the low income Indian.
General public do not seem to know the details. Access to information will strengthen trust deficit experienced by the community.
On page 5-13 in the section of Issues and Challenges there is a specific mention on some challenges with regards to low-income households. This will be larger than the absolute poverty group mentioned above.
The issues identified are:-
-Low skilled occupation
-Lack of entrepreneurial opportunities
-Facing social challenges such as
-Unconducive living conditions
-Dysfunctional families
-Gangsterism among youths
This is comprehensive of the core issues although education and health are key but not mentioned here.
On page 5-26 there is specific reference in Strategy B3 in elevating socio-economic status of low-income Indian household
The target group rightly identified are low-income Indian household. Plan is therefore assuming that those above the low-income bracket would directly access mainstream interventions.
The policy framework is inclusive development and a thrust on wellbeing which is a more holistic terms and not just economic.
Reference to the Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB). This is significant that during the PH and PN years this was neglected however in the 12 Malaysia Plan the blueprint is brought back as the development agenda.
The MIB is a very good base document and we are told that its data is being updated. There must be more open discussion and a very much stronger community buy in to the revised version of MIB. It cannot be treated as a department effort as the Indian community leaders and academic must be part of this process so as to ensure effective execution.
Ten specific initiatives but no details given:-
These are comprehensive and there is a need for strategy papers in each area and a team of people in addressing these concerns over the next four years in a systematic way.
The government could set up multi stakeholder groups of agencies, academics, CSO/NGO and community leaders including private sector and professional bodies.
With MIB, the 12 Malaysia analysis and the ten specific promises we now need to work out an implementation plan. The time is to enlist the support of the community and review the current body coordinating the Indian development agenda.
Some Practical Suggestions
Government announced the setting up of a special unit in a central agency to coordinate programs on poverty in a holisticmanner. The EPU minister has set up a Poverty Circle of agencies, academics and CSO for a monthly meeting on networking and sharing experiences.
This unit can build on this expertise of this group. Indian concerns must be also here along with other poverty groups identified in the 12 Malaysia Plan
The 12 Malaysia Plan in the final chapter highlighted the strengthening collaboration and coordination among the stakeholders (page 13-15). This is in the context of leaving no one behind and therefore low-income Indians are part of a vulnerable group including the urban poor
Government could explore that the current MITRA become a company limited by guarantee which is set up by the Federal Government and linked to a central agency addressing poverty and social inclusion. The government can allocate an annual operating and development budget but the organisation is able to raise public funds. The CEO could be a PTD officer or one from the government agency
The body can be manged by a Board set up by the Federal government with representation of all sections of Malaysia society.
It can have representation from lead agencies like EPU, MoF, Human Resources, KPKT, Unity, Social welfare as well as key representatives from the Malaysian Indian community.
There are many such institutions such as LPPKN under Ministry of Women, Urbanice under KPKT, ISIS Malaysia under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc.
*Denison Jayasooria is a sociologist and research fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
*The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of The Hindu Press (THP)
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