Report by YSS To MIC General Assembly 2000

These are formulated to tackle the root causes and are directed towards empowerment and self-reliance. These are run in an organised way by full-time staff working with volunteers and local community leaders. These are being carried out via seven divisions in four states. They are Subang and PJ Selatan (Selangor), Sg Siput and Manjung (Perak), Segamat (Johore) and Kepong and Lembah Pantai (Kuala Lumpur). It is YSS' aim to replicate these in other areas.

Services programmes offered include:

1. Community Service Centres – To assist and guide individuals and families which have problems. The main centre operates from Tingkat 5, Menara Manickavasagam, Kuala Lumpur.
2. Computer Centres – To provide children and teenagers with the opportunity to acquire IT literacy skills. There are four such centres at present and these are targetted at low-income groups.
3. Neighbourhood Programmes – To increase the capacity for self-reliance of local communities through awareness and leadership programmes. Two programmes are located in Desa Ria (Selangor) and Batu Anam (Segamat)
4. Self-Help Groups – To create awareness and empower women to be self-reliant. The groups will be assisted in the area of micro finance and small business loans. There are 45 women in four groups in Selangor and Perak.
5. Youth Corps - These cater for those between 13 and 17 years of age, especially those who have dropped out of school. This is being organised in Subang and PJ Selatan.
6. Partnership in Service - YSS has entered into five smart partnerships with various agencies and organisations in order to tap the available resources and services for the benefit of needy groups. These are:

1. DBKL and Program Nadi: DBKL has provided two premises for Computer Centres in Kepong and Lembah Pantai. Program Nadi pays the allowances of the teachers.
2. Program Pintas (Ministry of National Unity and Social Development): Through a RM250,000 grant,
3. Project Desaria is now organised to cater for the needs of squatter families in PJ Selatan.
4. Pusat Rahmat (Ministry of Rural Development): YSS works in a team with 11 other agencies and NGOs in addressing urban poverty in Kuala Lumpur.
5. Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM): In 1999 AIM provided RM1,000 micro business loans to 12 women in Perak. For 2000, it has allocated RM100,000 or 100 loans to Indian women in Manjung, Sungei Siput and Kuala Langat.
6. Asia Pacific Development Centre: Technical support is given to YSS to set up a micro-finance programme with a revolving fund for small and micro businesses especially for women and families with low income.

Social Policy Research:

Policy research and intervention are aimed at highlighting the needs and issues of the Malaysian Indian community to policy-makers. Several studies and reports have been undertaken and presented to the relevant authorities. The MIC President Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu has also ensured that YSS is invited to take part in significant policy-formulation meetings.

Research Undertaken include:

Report on `Estate Workers Towards the New Millennium’ which was presented to the Cabinet and Government agencies. Report entitled `Displaced Plantation Workers of Sabah' was prepared and presented to various agencies. `Displaced Plantation Workers of Perak' study was undertaken in five estates where rubber tappers lost their jobs due to estate conversion to oil palm. Land was secured from the State to build low-cost houses for those affected. Study on Indian squatter families and their housing needs in Kuala Lumpur. The findings will form the basis for a dialogue between Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu and the KL Datuk Bandar. Study on `Foreign Workers for Indian Businesses'. The study formed the basis of an appeal to the Cabinet for work permits.

Study on vehicle permits for factory transport operators in Klang and Shah Alam. This was done with the Malaysian Indian Van and Bus Association.

Steering Committee on Monthly Wage Scheme for Estate Workers. Dr Denison Jayasooria was appointed to this committee which met for the first time in March 2000.

Direct Public Policy Intervention

Eighth Malaysia Plan - YSS is part of the Technical Working Groups providing input into this plan and the Outline Perspective Plan (OPP3). It has made two written submissions for consideration of two ministries.

Dasar Sosial Negara - YSS is participating in a series of dialogues and sessions organised by the Sekretariat Pintas Malaysia to formulate a National Social Policy for inclusion in the Eighth Malaysian Plan.

Dialogue Sessions with Ministers

Deputy Prime Minister - Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu led a delegation of Indian Business Association Presidents in September 1999 to discuss critical issues facing small and medium-sized Indian businesses.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry - A delegation of the Malaysian Indian Video Association went for a discussion at the Ministry in March 2000.

Ministry of National Unity and Social Development - YSS attended a dialogue with the Minister in April 2000.

Policy Input Gatherings

Indian Women in Development Colloquium - This was held in July 1999 and a study team headed by Dr Manjit Kaur produced a report for the MIC President.

Malaysian Indians in the Next Millennium Colloquium - This was held in September 1999 to receive input for the preparation to MAPEN II. A report was released and formed the background to articles presented at MAPEN II.

YSS Policy Forums - YSS hosted four such forums on Education and Social Mobility; Business and Economic Opportunities; Professionals and Human Resource Development; and Opportunities in Information Technology. These served as expert group meetings to receive input on strategies and programmes for the second stage of the MAPEN II process.

(Submitted on 31st December 2001)