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)