TEN KEY INDIAN COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

By Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

1          Achievements in RMK 10 - Good Work Done between 2008 and 2014

Firstly, we acknowledge that since 2008, the Federal Government especially during the 10th Malaysia Plan period has undertaken various priority programs to address Indian minority community grievances. Positive Federal initiatives identified are Tamil school development, micro credit loans and business development, skills training opportunities for underachieving Indian youths, securing citizenship and documentation related concerns, as well as funding for NGO direct involvement in the local community.

2          Achievements in RMK 10 - Four Units Established by PM for effective delivery

Secondly, we acknowledge that the Federal Government has established a number of special units in the PM office and PM Department to ensure effective delivery and implementation. This is new and has contributed to better results in the delivery and therefore must be continued and strengthened.

3          Challenges & Shortcoming in RMK 10, Need to be addressed in RMK11

Thirdly, while we recognise that there are achievements, there are also challenges and short comings.

The outreach is small, there could be resource leakages that steer away resources from the intended target group (bottom 40% and high risk),

Publicity and awareness is not effective,

Lack of coordination among the 4 special units, lack of policy planning, weak monitoring and no impact assessment.

It is noted that there is very weak documentation and analysis, weak community accountability of funds received especially by NGOs and their deliverables.

Therefore while the Federal Government has allocated much, there does not seem to be corresponding community confidence in the system. Little feel good factor improvement, as many during the national symposium were not aware of the many initiatives.

4          Eight Priority Areas identified in RMK10 must be strengthened in RMK 11

Fourth, the Eight Priority Areas (EPA) identified in RMK10 must be addressed more seriously with effective KPIs and delivery-implementation targets. This is work in progress.

EPA1 -Tamil School Development (Infrastructure and quality of education)

EPA 2 Improved access to micro credit and business training and importantly psycho-social preparatory element built within.

EPA 3 Speedy resolving of documentation and citizenship related issues

EPA4 Improved access to skills training institutions run by public and private operators with an effective follow up plan to ensure young people are in employment or business related to their training and out of anti-social behaviour and criminal activities

EPA 5 Improved access to employment opportunities in public sector at Federal, State and local government and GLCs. That this process of recruitment and promotions be well documented so as to undertake an analysis of inclusion.

EPA6  Ease access to public sector scholarships for higher education locally and overseas

EPA 7 Access to public sector educational opportunities (MRSM, Matriculation, intake to public university and monitoring of number and type of educational opportunities

EPA8  Public grants and capacity building of voluntary organisations and community based organisations in the delivery of services which are empowering but not creating a dependency syndrome

5          Strengthening Delivery in RMK 11 period

Fifthly, during the 11th Malaysia Period it is proposed that the four units work together sharing information and seeing them as being part of the same team for effective delivery and not to operate as independent units. The EPU must review the effectiveness of the 4 units and recommend a tighter KPI on delivery and outcome. It is proposed that they have regular coordinating meetings and set clear KPIs and have an independent monitoring team for impact assessment. Academic researchers from local universities can play a key role in this regard.

6          Introducing Impact Assessment in RMK11 on Indian community projects

Sixthly, in the 11th Plan monitoring and impact assessment must be a key component. There must be a wider community accountability process through Town Hall sessions and Social Dialogues with a more transparent revelation of funds received and the KPI to be delivered. This will enhance greater stakeholder participation and it will reduce intra- community unhappiness of selective delivery. It is important to make these special delivery units more professional and free from political control and manipulation so as to serve all sections of the bottom 40%

7          Changes to Scope & Structure of PM’s Four Special Units

Seventhly, it was felt that two of the four units are not too effective due to scope and structural factors.

 In the case of the Special Implementation Taskforce (SITF), their work seem to be impacted by lack of support from the agencies especially in resolving the many citizenship and documentation issues, in the recruitment of Indians into the civil service and placements into public sector skills training institutions.

There seems weakness in the SITF current system and therefore there must be a review to ensure that it operates professionally.

SEED too has some major concerns as they seem to be performing more a channel or postman role rather than direct processing and dispensing of micro credit loans. This inability to secure loans directly has caused lots of unhappiness. It is recommended that SEED processes directly applications below RM20,000. Higher loans could be channelled through other financial institutions

8          RMK 11 must address RMK10 gaps - Introduce Neighbourhood based intervention especially in urban flats

Eighthly, we recognise a major gap in the current initiatives which must be added and covered in the 11th Malaysia Plan.

There is currently very little work is done to strengthen local communities through a neighbourhood based approach. The current approaches are individual focused.

We need to build resilient communities and enhance social cohesion among the various ethnic communities especially in urban poor and low income neighbourhoods.

A majority of the urban poor and low income families are from displaced plantation communities and experience the breakdown of the social support and social control systems.

There must be concerted efforts to address this community building process so that local communities will take greater ownership and greater fostering of self-help process. There must be funds for social preparation and community empowerment for self-help and confidence to plug into the public sector provisions as full citizens of the land.

9          RMK 11 must address RMK10 gaps – Introduce family based intervention

Nightly, there is also the need to address the family related concerns. The issue of dysfunctional families is a major concern. Life style issues pertaining to food habits, level of alcohol consumption and health issues are very serious. Therefore specific targeting of families and building the family unit is most critical.

10        RMK 11 must address RMK10 gaps - High risk youths and youth unemployment are major concerns

Tenthly, high risk youths and youth unemployment are major concerns. While skills training is one approach there need a more effective intervention at primary and lower secondary school level to address concerns of weak academic performance and underachievement issues. Issues pertaining to discipline and thereby being sacked from school are key areas that require special intervention measures.

May 5, 2015