A day-long forum to be held on Sunday aims to provide input on raising the socio-economic status of Malaysian Indians over the next five years, for inclusion in the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010).

A select group of Malaysian Indian panelists will critically review policies and implementation of programmes under the 8th Malaysia Plan before making recommendations that set the tone for a socio-economic upgrade.

Dr Denison Jayasooria of the Social Strategic Foundation (YSS) said the forum entitled 'Malaysian Indians and the Ninth Malaysia Plan' will focus on the "bottom 30 percent" of Malaysia's poor urbanites.

"It is this section that experiences alienation and marginalisation within the context of modernisation and globalisation," said the executive director of MIC's social research arm.

"This is a unique opportunity for Malaysian Indians to share their views and concerns. (The) participatory process provides people with a vehicle to express opinions. (The focus should be) on building capacity, capabilities and competencies of ordinary people to compete globally."

The forum, organised by the MIC, will be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and National Economic Action Council (NEAC) executive director Mustapa Mohamad will deliver the keynote address.

Among the panelists are NEAC secretariat chief Dr K Govindan, social activist S Arutchelvan, former National Information Technology Council director Dr KJ John and Sentul district police chief A Thaiveegan.

Others include corporate figures, IT experts, academics, former top civil servants and civil society representatives.

Core areas

Denison said core areas to be discussed are those affecting the community, such as urban poverty, social problems, situation of plantation workers and civil servants, equity and business opportunities, and public service delivery systems.

Parallel workshops will also look at foundational and higher education, ICT and knowledge workers, industrial/skills training, the potential in agricultural initiatives, and public sector recruitment/promotion for Malaysian Indians.

He said the forum will try and tap into what is currently available to make a clear case for inclusion.

"(For instance), admission into public universities, the inadequate seat allocation and the inability to secure the chosen course has been a major concern in the community. We will discuss such issues so that we can remedy the situation," he said.

Denison said another pressing concern was the recruitment and promotion of Malaysian Indians for the civil service.

"We need to strategise on how to ensure higher recruitment levels of Malaysian Indians and promotions in a just manner."

He said that enlarging the Malaysian Indian equity and increasing participation in business was another area that needed immediate attention. Access to business loans, training, licences, permits and premises remain major inhibiting factors.

The conclusions of the forum will be submitted to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi by MIC chief S Samy Vellu.