The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

The MPI – a relative poverty measurement approach practiced in developed nations will be adopted to complement the absolute income-based measurement of the PLI (11MPpg 3-22)

There is a detailed description of the MPI on pg 3-23

This shift from singular or one dimension approach to a multidimensional is the most significant development on poverty measurement in the 11MP. This also means that there is be a rightful thrust in 11MP towards urban poverty and low income families as captured in the B40 approach.

The PLI takes a basket of goods approach is measuring poverty from the most basic of human need. In the MPI income is measured using the mean monthly household income measurement.

The mean monthly household income is RM2,537 (2014) and the target is to raise this to  double to RM 5,270.00 by 2020 (11MP pg 3-17)

Critical question- 

Is it better to use the median or middle value rather than the mean or average value?

However what is really significant is the additional dimensions adopted to an early income only measurement. In 11MP, three other dimensions are added in the measurement index namely education, health and living standards

There is in the MPI 4 dimensions and 11 indicators for measurement (11MP pg 3-23, Box 3-2)

Critical question- 

Why is crime or social issues not included as an indicator? We do note that crime, gangs &violence, alcoholism, drug abuse, and substance abuse, domestic violence and dysfunctional families and high risk youth indicators- lepak, night riders/motor cycle racing not use. Social science research clearly shows a close correlations between urban poverty, deprivation, dysfunctional and anti-social behaviour as clear manifestations of the new poor syndrome 

Also some of the 11 specific indicators not relevant to urban poor and therefore new indicators of relative poverty and living standards should be introduced especially which is relevant to flat dwellers. 

A major game changer is Government promise of uplifting the B40 households towards a middle class society

The Policy Promise- 

“During the Eleventh Plan, focus will be given to lifting the economic  opportunities and 

participation of B40 households to ensure that Malaysia’s prosperity can be shared by all 

Malaysians, regardless of the ethnicity, socio-economic status, and geographic location.

 Uplifting the quality of life of the B40 households will be a game changer for Malaysia as upskilling and providing job opportunities to the 2.7 million B40 households, will increase the nation’s skilled workforce and reduce inequality passed on to future generations.

By uplifting the B40 households, Malaysia will take a large step towards becoming an advanced and more inclusive nation” (11MPpg 3-16)

The mean monthly household income is RM2,537.00 (2014) and the target is to raise this to  double to RM 5,270.00 by 2020 (11MP pg 3-17)

The Strategy adopted: 

Three fold

Strategy A1: Raising the income and wealth of B40 households

Strategy A2: Addressing the increasing cost of living

Strategy A3: Enhancing the delivery system of B40 households

Specific details and targets have to be worked out so as to have specific relevance and application for Malaysian Indians.

EPU and relevant agencies must have briefing sessions and provide more operational details for all communities to tap into and plug into the system

Special Initiatives: 

Many are listed but like to highlight the new initiative of Developing community and social-based enterprises (reference 11MPpg 3-20)

“A systematic approach will be introduced to develop community and social based enterprises on the cooperative model to carry out activities such as child care services or creches, tuition centres and orphanages for B40 households in urban areas. Appropriate infrastructure and facilities will be provided, as well as leadership and management training to build the capacity and capability of these enterprises”.

Other Special Initiatives: 

These are in addition to skills training, micro credit business development and access to micro loans

Increasing the provision of affordable housing

Increasing access to healthcare service

Enhancing financial and debt management programs

Key strategy identified:

 Enhancing the delivery system of B40 household programmes (ref 11MPpg 3-22)

A mechanism will be established to streamline, rationalise and coordinate various efforts by agencies for B40

Strengthening problem identification to monitoring and evaluation of programs

Focus group committee at district level will be empowered to ensure development programmes meet their needs

Other provisions worth exploring:

Strategy B1: Strengthening the family institution (11MP pg 3-24)

Strategy B2: Nurturing the potential of youth (11MP pg 3-25)

Federal Government promise- Development is for all Malaysians

The 11^th Malaysia Plan is full of statements of reassurance that this plan is for all Malaysians

This term for all Malaysia or irrespective of ethnicity or race appears 8 times in Chapter 1. Relevant page numbers- (1-1. 1-4, 1-6 (twice), 1-8, 1-12, 1-17 (2 times), 1-18 (1)

There are phrases like “Building a better Malaysia for all Malaysians”

The 11^th Malaysia Plan places people as the centrepiece (pg1-6)

“all segments of society irrespective of geography, ethnicity or income levels are expected to experience an increase in their income and wellbeing” (pg1-6)

“The goal is nothing less than a better quality of life for all Malaysians” (pg 1-6)

“To ensure that all Malaysians are able to participate in and benefit from this growth…” (pg 1-8)

“… protect all Malaysians equally”. (pg 1-17)

“inclusiveness so that no Malaysian is left behind, improved wellbeing for all, human capital development that is future-proof” (pg1-18)

Hard Questions 

Why is there just a high level of distrust among the people towards government’s sayings and promises? Are these phrases just political talk? Why is this so?

Do we take these writings as policy statements or do we just ignore them? How has government acted in the past?

What can we do to ensure that we can hold the government accountable to what they have promised in the policy statements?

How do we ensure that these policy statement can be translated into reality so that the bottom grassroots can truly experience the justice and compassion of the government?

How do we work with the civil service especially at the district level for effective implementation noting the various hurdles such as a predominately Malay civil service who might not have a full aspiration of the complexities of the B40 of the Indian community? 

RMK 11 & SPECIFC REFENCES ON THE INDIAN COMMUNITY

A majority of the Indian community seem very disappointed that there are no references to the Indian community. A similar analysis can be noted among the people of Sabah and Sarawak including the Orang Asli community.

 In the 11th Malaysia Plan there are two specific references to the Indian community:-

The first, on page 3-6 there is reference to what was done between 2011 and 2015 namely in addressing the concerns of poor Indian community through entrepreneurship and skills training. They have indicated that 167,500 individuals have benefited:-

10,000 young people in skills training

30,000 adults participated in entrepreneurship training programs

127,500 primary & secondary school students in educational enhancement programs 

It will necessary to have more details on these programs and the target beneficiaries including some impact assessment on effectiveness of these and what were the outcomes.

It is important for us to note the nature of the programs were these one off etc But the numbers 127,500 is impressive.

The allocations in the 10^th Malaysia Plan did focus on skills training and entrepreneurship but what about access to micro credit and business loans especially through TEKUN and AIM

The second is on page 3-18 context of Reducing School Dropouts. The specific ref is “Special attention will also be given to address the needs of children from identified segments of disadvantaged groups including … Indians from dislocated estates and urban areas…”

As this a future target this is something we can unpack and ensure the issues pertaining to drop out as well as under achieving students in both the primary and secondary schools are addressed.  We need a clear figures from Ministry of Education on this including youth who have been sacked or dismissed from the school due to discipline problems absenteeism.

PM speech in Parliament made one reference to Malaysian Indians. 

The PM said “Bagi masyarakat India pula, satu Blueprint yang menggariskan hala tuju pembangunan sosioeknonomi mereka akan disediakan”

This announced has caused some confusion on why only now is a blueprint being developed and who is responsible. Since 2008 the Federal Government had set up the Cabinet Committee on Indian Concerns, special units as well as allocated funds for socio-economic development

Dato Seri Utama Samy Vellu in his welcome speech at this 2nd National Symposium indicated that the Prime Minister’s Office has clarified this matter.

First, that it will be the Cabinet Committee that will be responsible for the formulation of the blueprint and more announcements will be made.

Second, we were also told that the blueprint effort is to strengthen the work already being done so as to ensure that the delivery and implementation are more effective and the outreach is enlarged.

Third, that all will have opportunities to contribute towards the formulation of the blueprint. We were also assured that the findings of the YPS National Symposium will be reviewed in the blueprint formulation process. This will be an open and engaging process.

It is important to note that the drafting of a blueprint does not mean that nothing was done in the Tenth Malaysia Plan as during this period PM Najib had already accepted eight critical issues of the Indian community as National Concerns. The PM also has been chairing the Cabinet Committee on Indian Concerns since 2008 and has establishment four specific delivery agencies with full time staff employed by the Federal government.

Let us therefore utilise this process of the Blueprint to really provide input and formulate an action strategy very soon so that the remaining years can be devoted to effective implementation building on what was done in the 10^th Malaysia Plan period.

YPS Hopes Findings Will Be Incorporated In Blueprint For Indian Community

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- Social Rehabilitation Foundation (YPS) 

chairman Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu hopes the findings of its two national 

symposiums will be incorporated in the blueprint for the socio-economic 

development of the Indian community.

In welcoming the government's move to come up with the blueprint, he said officers from the Prime Minister's Office had participated in both YPS's symposiums and hoped for their serious commitment and cooperation.

"We must remember that the Malaysian Indian concerns are no longer just community concerns, these are national concerns as the main thrust of our Prime Minsiter's agenda is inclusive development," he said at the YPS's 2nd National Symposium 2015 titled " Reviewing the 11th Malaysia PLan (2016-2020): Tapping the Opportunities & Plugging into the Provisions" here Sunday.

The blueprint for the socio-economic development of the Indian community is among the essence of the 11th Malaysia Plan tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the Dewan Rakyat on May 21.

Samy Vellu, who is also Malaysia's Special Envoy for Infrastructure to India and South Asia, said YPS will be submitting its two reports titled "Transformational Agenda for Community Reliance and Cohesion" with a list of 10 key Indian community concerns and recommendations, and also the proposal" Five Strategic Thrust Areas" to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak soon, and hoped immediate action will be taken on recommendations made.

"Let us have a positive outlook. Our prime minister has during the 10th Malaysia Plan period established four special units with full-time staff (for the advancement of the Indian community) employed by the Federal Government," he said.

"The prime minister has already recognised eight critical issues and concerns. This is work in progress and the Cabinet Committee on Indian concerns is directly chaired by the prime minister, and all these are major efforts by the Federal Government," he said.

Touching on the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), Samy Vellu said there is a need to set up an information and dissemination system to ensure that the Indian community is not left behind under the government's target to increase the average income of B40 households from about RM2,500 a month in 2014 to more than RM5,000 a month by 2020.

"We must set up a hand holding process of working together with the urban poor, displaced plantation workers and low income families living in flats so that they too can experience social mobility and well being," he said.

Samy Vellu said there is a need to reach the estimated 695,030 Malaysian Indians who were at the bottom 40 percent or B40, with 139,010 families living in 38 districts in nine states who are earning less than RM2,537 a month.

Thus, YPS hoped it would be able to establish operational centres in all these 38 districts to assist them, and for this year, the organistion will start with three operational centre in three districts, he added.

-- BERNAMA

MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE 2nd NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 2015 ON 31 MAY 2015

BY Y.BHG DATO’ SERI UTAMA S.SAMY VELLU, CHAIRMAN OF YAYASAN PEMULIHAN SOSIAL (YPS)  

"REVIEWING THE ELEVENTH MALAYSIA PLAN (2016-2020): TAPPING THE OPPORTUNITIES & PLUGGING INTO THE PROVISIONS” 

AT THE PUTRA WORLD TRADE CENTRE KUALA LUMPUR 



After a successful National Symposium on the Malaysian Indians and the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP) which was held on 16 May 2015, we will be hosting the Second National Symposium 2015 entitle “REVIEWING THE ELEVENTH MALAYSIA PLAN (2016-2020): TAPPING THE OPPORTUNITIES & PLUGGING INTO THE PROVISIONS” on 31 May 2015 at 9.30 am at the Putra World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.  

The second symposium comes almost a week after YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia had tabled the Eleventh Malaysia Plan in Parliament.

The second symposium will discuss and deliberate the five year development plan and note its relevance and benefit for the Malaysian Indian community. Yayasan Pemulihan Sosial (YPS) had hosted the first National Symposium on 16 April 2015 where about 100 people from various voluntary organisations and academic institutions participated.  The result of the first symposium produced the findings of the discussions in a book entitled “Ensuring Inclusive & Equitable Development” edited by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria of UKM. In addition we had also prepared a special report entitled “Transformational Agenda for Community Reliance and Cohesion” listing out our “Ten key Indian community concerns and recommendations” as well as proposed “Five Strategic Thrust Areas”.

I am happy to say that both the reports was presented to YB Dato’ Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, the Minister in the PMs’ Department who is in charge of the Economic Planning Unit. I will also be submitting the two reports to YAB Prime Minister personally soon so that immediate action is given and taken on the recommendations made. We want the recommendations to be implemented where possible under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan.

YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak in his speech in Parliament said that a special blueprint will be prepared in addressing the Indian community concerns. YPS welcomes the announcement and the opportunity provided by the Government. We will ensure that our findings in both the first and second National Symposium will be incorporated into the blueprint drafting by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Our YAB Prime Minister has during the Tenth Malaysia Plan period established four special units with full time staff employed by the Federal Government. The Prime Minister has already recognised 8 critical issues and concerns. This is work in process. The Cabinet Committee on Indian Concerns is directly chaired by the Prime Minister. All these are major efforts by the Federal Government. We were told by the Prime Minister’s Office that it will be the Cabinet Committee that will be responsible for the formulation of the blueprint and more announcements will be made. We were also told that the blueprint effort is to strengthen the work already being done so as to ensure that the delivery and implementation are more effective and the outreach is enlarged.

We must remember that the Malaysian Indian concerns are no longer just community concerns, these are national concerns as the main thrust of our Prime Minister’s agenda is “inclusive development”. This means that all communities must be part of mainstream development process.

The second symposium will deliberate on how we can make sure that over the next five years we can tap and plug into the system. How do we strengthen advocacy? How do we undertake policy dialogue and negotiation for a better deal? How do we monitor and document the experiences both success and challenges?

We must set up our own information and dissemination system, we must ensure that the bottom 40% can plug into the system and be able to benefit from the many initiatives of the Federal Government.

We must set up a “hand holding process” of working together with the urban poor, displaced plantation workers and low income families living in the flats so that they too can experience social mobility and wellbeing.

We must enlarge the outreach to reach the estimated 695,030 Malaysian Indians who are at the bottom 40% or B40. It is estimated that this is about 139,010 families living in 38 districts in 9 states. All these families are being defined as families earning less that RM 2,537 a month.

We know that about 80% of Malaysian Indian are now living in the urban areas. The bottom 40%, the urban poor and displaced plantation workers are living in high rise low cost flats, low cost houses, squatters, long houses and in unresolved former plantation land.

We must reach each one of them.

 I

Issued by

Yayasan Pemulihan Sosial

KUALA LUMPUR

27 May 2015

2nd National Symposium 2015 on RMK 11

REVIEWING THE ELEVENTH MALAYSIA PLAN (2016-2020):

TAPPING THE OPPORTUNITIES & PLUGGING INTO THE PROVISIONS

Date:               May 31, 2015 (Sunday)

Time:               9.30am till 5pm

Venue:             Tun Hussein Onn Hall, PWTC Kuala Lumpur

Organised by the Institute of Ethnic Studies with Yayasan Pemulihan Sosial (YPS) in collaboration with the Unit for Socio-Economic Development of Indian Community (SEDIC), Prime Minister’s Department

Prime Minister of Malaysia has tabled the 11^th Malaysia Plan to Parliament on May 21, 2015. This is the national development plan for the next five years between 2016 and 2020. This is at the last leg of the nation achieving the developed nation’s status and reaching 2020.

Earlier on April 16, 2015 at the National Symposium we identified that the most vulnerable section of the community are the people in the bottom 40% of the socio economic ladder. We identified that on the basis of their low household income of below RM3, 000.

However we are also using other indicators beyond just income indicators to determine this section of Malaysian society by where they are living, the type of their employment, level of educational achievement, their involvement or exposure to crime and violence

We noted that a majority live in high rise low cost flats, long houses, squatters, unresolved estate lands and low cost housing. They are located in 38 districts in 9 states in Peninsular Malaysia. It was also agreed that we must be very target oriented and focused at the local neighbourhoods, dysfunctional families and high risk youths.

Arising out of the April 16, 2015 discussions, KITA-UKM published a book entitled Ensuring Inclusive & Equitable Development, Eleventh Malaysia Plan & Malaysian Indians (2015). This document will now serve us as useful background reading and enable us to undertake a well-coordinated action strategy for community empowerment over the next five years.

OBJECTIVES

To review the 11^th Malaysia Plan which was tabled in Parliament on May 21, 2015 by the Prime Minister

To understand the general thrust of the 11^th Malaysia Plan and its development approaches over the next five years (2016 to 2020)

To critically review the specific provisions of the 11^th Malaysia Plan with reference to Malaysian Indians based on the community requirements

To draw out general provisions and programs which Malaysian Indians could tap and plug into the system

To chart of a joint action plan from among the many stakeholders and actors within the Indian community so as to ensure effective delivery and implementation impacting the bottom 40% of the community

PROGRAM

8.30 am to 9.30am                  :           Registration & Morning Breakfast

9.30am to 9.45am                   :           Word of Welcome

Dato Seri Utama Samy Vellu (Chairman, YPS)

9.45am to 11.15 am               :           SESSION 1

                                                            11^th Malaysia Plan & National Development Agenda

The first session is a general sessions reviewing the development paradigm for the next five years. It will discuss the overall thrust and strategies adopted for national growth. This national outlook is necessary as in the past the Federal government has adopted a growth with distribution strategy which lays a strong emphasis on inclusive development

We explore what the overall national strategy is and if there are any changes or it is similar as the Tenth Malaysia Plan and previous plans. The key question is what is new and is this sufficient to ensure that all the poor and low income families which have an opportunity for social mobility and advancement.

Panel Speakers

Prof Dr Edmund Terence Gomez (UM)

Prof. Dr. S.Susela Devi (UNITAR)

Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (KITA-UKM)

Moderator: Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam (ASLI-CPPS)

11.15am to 1pm                     :           SESSION 2   

11^th Malaysia Plan & Specific Reference to Malaysian Indians

In this session there will be a review of the specific direct and indirect references to the Malaysian Indian community in the 11^th Malaysia Plan. In the Tenth Malaysia plan there were special measure and mechanisms established and we need to see if Government is enlarging and strengthening these.

We need to note the gaps and chart out an intervention strategy for greater community involvement in both delivery and advocacy.  The four special units at the PM Department/Office will highlight their strategies & action plans for the next five years.

Panel Speakers

Prof Datuk Dr NS Rajendran (PM Department)

Dr AT Raja (SEED)

Dr Krishnan Manium (SITF)

Dato Siva Subramanium (SITF)

Moderator:      Tan Sri Dr T.Marimuthu (MIED)

1.00 pm to 2.00pm                  :           Lunch Break

2.00pm to 3.30pm                              SESSION 3

11^th Malaysia Plans & Indian Community - plugging into the system and provisions                      

In this section the panel will critically review the gaps and challenges in delivery. They will also reflect on how Malaysian Indians can tap and plug into all the provisions in the 11^th Malaysia Plan.

We need to strengthen networking and joint cooperation within the community among various actors and also establish effective monitoring and impact assessment indicators, instruments and mechanisms.

Panel Speakers

Mr K Murali (Tamil Bell Club)

Mr Rama Ramanathan (Proham Secretariat)

Mr S Pasupathi (My Skills Foundation)

Dr Thaatchaayini Kananatu (Sunway University)

Moderator: Prof Dr KS Nathan (KITA-UKM)

3.30pm to 4.30pm                  :           SESSION 4

11^th Malaysian Plan Period & Key Priorities for the Indian Community – Community Empowerment

In this session we will focus on how best to leverage the Federal Government agenda for Inclusive Development and also highlight achievable targets over the next five years. We will discuss on how to also lobby the Federal Government agencies, network and cooperate with them for maxim impact on the ground.

There will also be an attempt to chart out a strategy and action plan which will target 38 districts in 9 states. This was discussed at the April 16, 2015 National Symposium. In this May Symposium there will be some specific highlights to community based operational and coordinating centres which can become the nerve or activity hub at the ground level.

Panel Speakers

Mrs Jasmine Adaickalam (C Codes)

YB Senator Dato Jaspal Singh (Member of the Upper House)

Datuk Dr NS Rajendran (PM Department)

Moderator: Datuk Vaithilingam (Proham & Former Hindu Sangam President)

4.30 – 5.00      Closing & Conclusions           Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (KITA-UKM)