The 2004 budget speech entitled 'Building on success, investing for the future' is a timely one. Consistent to this theme, the budget outlines key strategies for the future.

What is significant is the balance between infrastructure expenditure and a social agenda targeting specific neglected groups and low-income families. There is something for every one.

Strategy Five lays emphasis on 'strengthening the social agenda and caring society to enhance the quality of life and well-being of Malaysia'. This is the right balance that is urgently necessary in modern day Malaysia which is also experiencing the negative impact of fact development.

In this context let me highlight six key dimensions which I recognise:-

Micro-credit

1) The effective utilisation of micro credit schemes as a vehicle to ensure financial independence and empowerment especially among the poor and low-income families. Rather than 'hand outs' micro credit is 'a way out' through income creation opportunities.

This has a direct impact upon ordinary people especially small entrepreneurs, such as farmers, cattle rearers, night market traders and hawkers. Access to credit is the major struggle for small business people who form a large section of the informal sector. A very significant programme introduced in the 2004 budget is the Village Micro-Credit Scheme amounting to RM1 billion under the agricultural bank.

This scheme is also extended to Orang Asli communities to ensure an increase in their household income. A special package of RM100 million is allocated to single mothers especially in rural areas to increase their income through small businesses.

2) While the budget makes reference to different need groups or disadvantaged groups, two are taken up seriously. They are single mothers and disabled people. In both these cases the references are comprehensive and intervention mechanisms charted are holistic. Provisions are made for a cross-section of needs and concerns.

3) With reference to the social agenda, the establishment of the 50 community service centres under the National Social Policy is key. It is significant that this theme is reaffirmed in the budget and the 50 centres will be located in areas with high crime and social problems.

Implementing this project with cooperation from all relevant agencies, NGOs and local groups is a real challenge.

Recognising NGOs

4) There is a clear recognition of the role played by NGOs as partners in development and a sum of RM96.4 million is allocated. In addition the budget calls for the setting of standards in evaluating performance especially with respect to effective leadership and financial management.

This is where the newly established Institute Social Negara can play a dynamic and strategic role in formulating relevant training modules to facilitate professionalism among voluntary sector organisations.

5) While there are many references to low-income families and clear commitment to rural development, there is no mention of urban poverty and disadvantage experienced by low-income families in urban areas.

The budget does recognise and make allocations for housing needs but there is a neglect of a holistic framework in addressing the critical issues and concerns faced by urban poor and low income families.

The intervention and strategies for rural development is comprehensive and commendable. However, policy makers are not fully recognising the real ground feeling of discontentment due to lack of public facilities and amenities in low-income neighbourhoods in urban poor areas.

While there are two references to increase the role of the Housing and Local Government Ministry in providing recreational and child care facilities for youths and children, sufficient thought has not been devoted to urban governance and renewal.

This is where I firmly believe with increased urbanisation, urban development and concerns must not be addressed in an isolated fashion or in targeting special groups. What is urgently necessary is a comprehensive action plan and the National Social Policy and the National Social Council could play a creative and dynamic role.

Fathers' role

6) While there is a good emphasis on family, women and single mothers on issues relating to parenting the role of fathers is not highlighted at all. The impression given from the speech is that it is solely the women's role to care for the family.

However research and reality shows that 'absent fathers' and in particular men are the cause of many of the struggles faced by families, women and children. A balance must be affirmed and in this area the Ministry for Women and Family Development must give greater emphasis to the role of fathers in family and child development.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Finance Ministry must be commended for a well thought our budget taking marginalised and needy sections into account.

Our hope is that in the implementation process, the relevant agencies will deliver these to all citizens irrespective of race, religion, gender, region or physical well-being.

DR DENISON JAYASOORIA is the executive director of Yayasan Strategik Sosial, a MIC-run NGO that had been tasked to organise, among others, community-based social programmes to address social ills among low-income squatter families living in low-cost housing areas.