Malaysia is experiencing rapid urbanisation and modernisation. The target is to attain developed status by the year 2020. In this progress it is recognised that there will be positive and negative social consequences.
National Social Policy
In an attempt to monitor the social impact of change the Cabinet has approved the National Social Policy that will serve as the umbrella policy to ensure balanced development, both economic and social advancement of all Malaysians. Together with the NSP is the social impact assessment, which has to be taken into account before development projects are approved.
National Social Council
In addition the Cabinet on February 19, 2003 approved the setting up of the National Social Council, which will be chaired by the Prime Minister and represented by all the relevant Ministers. In addition at the state level the chief ministers will chair a similar council. This will further transcend to the district levels with the district officers chairing a development committee with an enlarged agenda to incorporate social dimensions of development.
Selangor Chief at the Seminar
The Selangor state was the first state to organise a seminar to formulate an action plan to implement pro- social policy at the state level. A cross section of people including senior state officials, academics, NGO representatives were present. There were also heads of secondary schools that are located in high-risk neighbourhoods together with senior Police officials.
In his opening address at the state level seminar held in Port Dickson from February 21-23, 2003, the Selangor Chief minister, Dato Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Bin Toyo recognised the decaying morality and values among the residents in Selangor especially with the manifestation of social ills through illegal gambling outlets, prostitution dens and also through sale of pirated VCDs. His main call was that spiritual resurgence and strengthening of family values must be at the core of any implementation strategy. In addition he emphasised the justification for increased enforcement to reduce illegal activities, crime and violence.
State Minister in Action
The man behind the Seminar was Dato Hj.Abdul Fatah Hj Iskandar, a State Minister who was assigned the task to formulate an action plan that is realistic, practical and implementable. INMIND, the Selangor government’s think-tank was responsible for the content and the state secretariat the administrative duties.
Some Indian Representatives in the Panels
Three Indian representatives spoke at the plenary sessions. Dr Vijay Shanmugam was on the Night Forum on Community and Social Problems. He provided a creative framework on how mindset change is possible through social intervention. Victor Joseph who developed the power point presentation assisted him.
Mr Kananatu Krishna of the Sri Rama Krisna Mission spoke at the panel on values in nation development. Kananatu who retired as a senior official with the Economic Planning Unit focused on the social dimensions of development as reflected in the Malaysia Plans.
I was on a panel that reflected on social problems, a challenge to development. I developed the thesis that urbanisation and modernisation has social implications and has its impact on low-income families. The major emphasis was on the theme that this section that are predominantly in urban squatters and low-cost flats require more attention and resources from the public sectors. My research assistant, Thiruselvam developed the power-point presentation and Victor Joseph assisted me in the presentation.
Reflections
One of the things that impressed me at this weekend seminar was the fact that the State government was very serious in addressing the social problems head on. Selangor has a very energetic and young chief minister who is a man of action and goes directly to the grassroots even to the extent of leading raiding teams with enforcement officers. The presence of some key state ministers also testifies to this commitment. At the closing the preleminary findings from workshop groups was presented to the State secretary, Dato Abdul Aziz bin Mohd Yusuf who delivered a very balanced speech on economic and social development.
My only concern was that there was too much discussion of the social problems from an individual and spiritual dimension as a way to overcome social ills, with very little analysis on the socio-economic dimensions, which are the root causes for negative outcomes.
We from YSS made it clear that at the heart of the Indian social dilemma especially for the low-income groups structural issues such as education, housing and employment opportunities have to be enhanced to reduce crime and violence in society. However as there was a strong appeal from the chief minister to strengthen the role played by religious institutions, YSS will work especially with temple leaders in formulating an action plan in enabling places of worship to also become community support centres.
(Submitted on 3rd March 2003)
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