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)