ASPIRATIONS OF MALAYSIAN INDIANS TOWARDS 2020

By Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

There is much anticipation that the Eleventh Malaysia Plan which will chart Malaysia’s development agenda for the next five years between 2016 and 2020.

The Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), UKM together with Yayasan Pemulihan Sosial (YPS) in collaboration with the Unit for Socio-Economic Development of Indian Community, (SEDIC) under the Prime Minister’s Department hosted a National Symposium on the Eleventh Malaysia Plan on April 16, 2015 at the PWTC KL.

The symposium which was hosted by Dato Seri Utama Samy Vellu the YPS Chairman brought together academics, special officers in the Federal government addressing Indian concerns, community leaders especially NGOs carrying out programs and business leaders in the Indian community.

The 100 over participants represented the cross section of the Malaysian Indian community. Among the VIPs who participated were YB Senator Dato Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, the Minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit, & Prof Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, the Founding Director of KITA-UKM

YPS has submitted to the Prime Minister & Minister in charge of EPU a report entitled Transformational Agenda for Community Resilience & Cohesion: Malaysian Indians & Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016- 2020).

A book entitled Ensuring Inclusive & Equitable Development: Policy Agenda for Malaysian Indians & the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016 -2020) has been published and submitted to the Prime Minister and the EPU Minister YB Senator Dato Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis as well as wide range of recommendations. However in this brief summary only a few key points are highlighted for serious consideration as the 11th Malaysia Plan priorities.

TEN KEY INDIAN COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

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THE FIVE STRATEGIC THRUST AREAS PROPOSED

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Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria is the Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies, UKM. His earlier publication is entitled National Development & Indians in Malaysia, A need for comprehensive policies & effective delivery (2011). Together with Prof KS Nathan and a team of academics & activist a new forthcoming publication is Contemporary Malaysian Indians (2015)