Monday, January 31, 2011

72.3% SUCCESS RATE, For Social Welfare Applications through Program Mesra Rakyat

Datuk Dr Subramaniam presenting welfare grants. On his right is Tuan Ahmad bin Rashid (Social Welfare) and on the left is Mr Ananthan Coordinator of Lunas area and MIC Kedah State Chairman


SITF Chairman, Datuk Dr Subramaniam announced that through Program Mesra Rakayt 72.3% of social welfare cases were solved. This he announced during a cash presentation ceremony at Hotel Sri Malaysia yesterday (Jan 31, 2011)

One positive outcome of Program Mesra Rakyat cases is the increased number of Indians who were successful in securing welfare assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and being channeled to capacity building programs through Program AZAM.

Program Mesra Welfare Cases

A total of 2, 236 cases were received last year via six grassroots programs held at Ijok (146 cases), Lunas (844 cases), Sepang (357 cases), Perai (386 cases), Sg Siput (409 cases) and Batu Anan, Segamat (94 cases). Of these :-

  • 167 (7.5%) already approved cases
  • 551 (24.6%) newly approved cases as incomes are below RM750
  • 898 (40.2%) approved for Azman program as incomes are above RM750 but below RM1,500
  • 385 (17.2%) rejected as incomes above RM1,500
  • 235 (10.5%) still be processed or unable to be identified

Moving on beyond welfare

Datuk Dr Subramaniam acknowledged the hard work and good cooperation from the officials from the Department of Social Welfare. He also called on community groups and political leaders to focus attention on getting needy people into ‘productive welfare’ through the Azman program where the focus is towards capacity building through empowering ordinary people to enlarge their household income.

The relevant agencies have all agreed to cooperate with the Taskforce and community groups but one big hurdle is the mindset of the needy who only want welfare and handouts. There is need for cash assistance for those who really cannot work but the focus must be towards building the capacity and capability for people to work or become economically active.

The way forward is through programs which will empowerment our people through micro business and loans or even through skills training to value add their current opportunities to create wealth. The Minister encouraged the community to move beyond welfare.

The Taskforce will work closely with the NKRA-LIH Team at Pemandu who are responsible along with the Ministry of Women and Family Development to enlarge the opportunities for the poor and low income families to other programs available through Federal government agencies. The secretariat will seek to enhance and enlarge opportunities for these initiatives.


Lunas, Kulim successful welfare program

Datuk Dr Subramanian acknowledged that in Lunas Kulim, the Indian community had also been very successful to accessing the assistance of social welfare. A total of 204 people secured monthly grants totaling RM53,650. Cash assistance from the department was distributed in the special program organized by the Tasforce.

In September 25, 2010 the Program Mesra Rakyat was held at Lunas in Kulim during which time 844 people had come forward and requested for welfare assistance. Department of Social Welfare officers visited every individual/family and after a case review and field visit approved, 30.5% or 257 cases (figure also includes those from outside the district who applied through the Lunas program)


Lesson Learnt

The Taskforce clearly acknowledges the close cooperation between the Department of social welfare, local community and the Taskforce. It is clear that access and social inclusion has been enhanced with the agency going to the ground and meeting the people.


Minister together with Kulim Social welfare officers.
On his left is Puan Rohana Yusuff, Kulim Social Welfare officer

The Taskforce also managed to monitor the applications and ensuring a higher success rate. It also had established a smart working partnership with local community leaders including the political leaders from MIC and local community leaders from NGOs

The challenge ahead is how to assist the community in mindset change by empowering them to move beyond welfare grants which is only a maximum of about RM300 into better employment opportunities or through self employment in micro business through business training and access to micro credit.

This second level of intervention requires systematic engagement and organized social preparation, capacity building and literally a ‘hand holding process’. It needs to be done and therefore we must have the vision, determination and perseverance to move our community from welfare to socio-economic empowerment.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Penang “My Daftar” Campaign Meeting

Tn Hj. Mh Pauzi (JPN Penang Director) chairing the state level campaign meeting
Tn Hj. Mh Pauzi, the Registration Department Director for Penang chaired the state level meeting between the Penang JPN officers and Indian community leaders. This meeting was held on Thursday Jan 27, 2011 in the morning at the Department’s office at Anson Road, Penang.

Among the community leaders present were Datuk P Subbaiyah, Mr L Krishnan and Mr Munisvaran. From the Taskforce, Dato Siva and Mr Thana participated. A total of 14 Registration department officers and 20 MIC and NGO leaders attended this very important meeting to draw up specific action for the campaign in Penang. The discussion also clarified some key issues especially in solving the documentation concerns of ordinary people.

The leaders decided that:-

  • They will host a volunteers training on Feb 14, 2011 at 2.30pm at the JPN Anson Road HQ. This was necessary to ensure that the volunteers have basic knowledge on how to advice and assist the people without the basic documents.

  • In Penang six district level office and 1 HQ level office will be open on Sat 19 & 20 and on Sunday Feb 26, 2010


Penang meeting in process among government officials and Indian community leaders


On the whole the Taskforce is discovering that we are receiving very good support from the JPN officers and community leaders including MIC and NGOs. We recognize that this is a major concern among the grassroots people. We are really hoping that through this national campaign, these concerns will be adequately addressed.

Desa Mentari Local Leaders Meet on Documentation Matters



Tuan Haji Raham (JPN Petaling) advising one of the participants from Desa Mentari
 The PJ Registration Department district level officer visited Deas Mentari 2 area. This was a follow up visit to the earlier one made by the Taskforce on Jan 13, 2011. This was organized by the Hindu Sangam together with a local Indian community welfare association a majority of their members reside at Block 9 and 10.

Tuan Haji Rahman spoke to the residents and also answered questions and undertook a short clinic on specific issues pertaining to documentation. About 35 people a majority of whom were from Block 9 and 10 participated with a number from nearby flats.

At the end of the session a number of the key local leaders felt that they required further briefing and clarification on the use of the various forms. In this context Tuan Haji agreed to host a Training Session for the leaders at his office on Feb 2, 2011 at 4pm at the PJ Registration Department office (First floor, Bangunan Persekutuan, Jalan Sultan, PJ).


Participants at the Desra Mentari 2, PJ discussions

Local volunteers including those from Hindu Sangam and MIC also agreed to join in for a comprehensive overview and the use of the form in order to advice the people and ensure they are better prepared when they submit their applications.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Indian Business Dialogue with Banks


Representatives of Business Associations together with Datuk Denison (Taskforce) and Dr Siva (MoF)
The Taskforce facilitated a dialogue on Working Capital Guarantee Scheme (WCGS) with three banks namely CIMB, Maybank, AM Bank and Indian Business Associations. This dialogue was held at PROKHAS office at Damanasara, KL. Also present were representatives from Ministry of Finance, Bank Negara, Taskforce and MIC. The dialogue was held on Friday Jan 28, 2011 at 10am

Participating Indian Business Associations

A total of about 26 people gathered at PROKHAS office including representives from various business associations such as:

  • Malaysian Indian Business Association (MIBA)
  • Indian Restaurant Association,
  • Indian Muslim Restaurants,
  • Indian Provision Shops Association,
  • Malaysian Indian Contractors Association
  • Malaysian Indian Van & Bus owners association
  • Malaysian Indian Hairdressers Association

These are among the tradition Indian business in the country. They are operated by individuals and families and many have emerged as very successful small businesses. A frequent complaint among a majority of them is the difficulty to access bank loans for start up or even expansion. This direct dialogue in the presence of PROKHAS, MoF and Bank Negara is to ensure access and inclusion.

Participating Banks

Dato Kamal Mohd Ali who is the GM of PROKHAS gave the opening welcome speech, followed by introductory speeches by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria and Dato Jaspal Singh (Treasurer of MIC). This was followed by a briefing by the bank representatives namely
  • Puan Eliza Dato Abdul Aziz (CIMB)
  • Ms Alice Wong (Maybank)
  • Ms Kholilah Aziz (Maybank)
  • Ms Karen Foo (AmBank)

Key Points from Banks presentations

There were a number of recurring themes based on the presentations by the three banks which can be noted as common points emphasized by them. These are listed below:-

First, contrary to popular perception, banks do not discriminate anyone on the basis of ethnicity or race background giving preference to one community as opposed to another.

Second, all the three banks emphasized the following key indicators namely

  • Viability of the business
  • Audited accounts
  • Sources of repayment of the loans
  • Repayment track record
  • financial management

Third, the banks indicated that they are pro business and want to reduce their risk of default and therefore although in the WCGS the bank risk is only 30%, the banks still want the potential borrowers to be low risk or have the ability to share the risk

Fourth, all three banks indicated that application process and requirements are pretty standard even in the case of WCGS using their check list of priority items. Some aspects emphasized by the banks during the dialogue are:-

  • Legal registration as Sdn Bhd
  • Statutory documents
  • Audited accounts
  • Business profile
  • Trade credibility
  • Collateral requirement - Not required in WCGS case as Government is guaranteeing 70% but cash asserts & deposit namely business needs to come up with the 30% portion)

Fifth, all three banks said they are happy to work with the Business Associations in financial product promotion and briefing of the scheme in order to ensure access and inclusion. In addition Maybank indicated that their small and micro business development centre would be available to assist in business training and development.

Indian Business Association Response

The business associations present agreed to the following:-

  • Establish a business network and strengthen cooperation in order to promote, educate, advice and monitor access to loans

  • The associations set a target of identifying 300 potential and good borrowers to participate in the WCGS scheme in order to ensure that Indian businesses secure 50% of the RM1.5billion allocation by the Federal government

  • Organise with the support of the Taskforce  a briefing and awareness on WCGS with speakers from PROKHAS, CIMB, MayBank, AmBank and AKPK


  • The Associations collectively fixed March 4, 2011 (Friday) afternoon for this workshop at Dewan Somasundram (Menara Tun Sambanthan, KL). Registration from 2pm and the session starts at 3pm.

  • The Associations agreed to collectively invite about 200 of their members to participate in this workshop.

  • Taskforce will coordinate this program by confirmation of venue, hosting the refreshments and invitations to banks and agencies including MoF, Bank Negara, PROKHAS, AKPK, CIMB, MayBank & AmBank.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Tamil School HM Council Supports the My Daftar Campaign

Dato Siva speaking at the Tamil School HM Council meeting
Three members of the Taskforce secretariat (Dato Siva, Dr Denison & Thana) met up with twelve members of the Tamil School Head Masters Council yesterday (Jan 26, 2011) at SJK(T) Kinara, Puchong in the early afternoon.

Dato Siva requested the assistance of the HM Council in identifying all the children in school who do not have the necessary documentation. He informed of an earlier meeting the Taskforce had with the Director General of Education ((Jan 21, 2011) where the DG agreed to circulate a letter and form requesting each Tamil school to submit a list of their students with documentation problems.

Speaking on behalf of the School Division of the Ministry, Mr. Paskaran also endorsed this campaign and called on the Head Masters and teachers who are in daily contact with students and parents to play a catalyst role in the community. The HM Council Chairman, Mr Doraisamy also confirmed that this campaign was a timely project and they will fully back these efforts of the Federal government.

HM Council agreed to organize a special briefing and training session for HM’s and teachers before Feb 19, 2011. Also present at this discussion was the Selangor Tamil School coordinator, Mr Vallikkan.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Selangor meeting with JPN Director and district officers


Tuan Haji Mustafa together with community leaders from Selangor
 Over 45 people gathered at Shah Alam Registration office on Tuesday Jan 25, 2011 at 9.30am. The meeting was chaired by the Department’s state director, Tuan Haji Mustafa.

According to Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria a number of factors made this meeting between federal officials and community leaders very unique.  
  • First, prior to the meeting with community leaders, JPN officials had already met and organized a strategy
  • Second, at the pre campaign stage, the department is willing to organize volunteers training at the district level so as to establish clear links between the district level officers and volunteers
  • Third, all district level department representatives were present and by the end of the meeting the key community and department representative set dates for the training at the districts
  • Fourth, that there was a need for a follow up strategy and action plan. In this context the department was willing to go to specific neighborhoods especially where there are cases that do not have sufficient supportive documents.

    String hoppers with brown sugar & cocunut
  • However the most unique aspect was the food catering. ‘String hoppers’ were served for the morning session.   In contrast to the frequent ‘nasi lemak’, string hopers met that the department was sensitive to serve a dish that was well liked by the Indian community.

Also present was Dato Siva Subramanian from the Taskforce and MIC Selangor Information officier, Mr S Siva who led the state officials. There were also representatives from the Malaysian Hindu Sangam and the Vijayaratnam Foundation.

Selangor has a high density of Indian population and many from the former estates are now living in the small towns. With a strong cooperation from the department this campaign will have a tremendous impact on the Indian community.

Meeting in progress at Shah Alam JPN

Volunteers Training at Ipoh for ‘My Daftar campaign’

Mr Thana (Taskforce), Dato Ganesan (Perak Assembly speaker), Tuan Haji Alias (Registration Director)
About 60 volunteers from the MIC and various NGOs in Perak gathered on Jan 25, 2011 from 3 to 6pm at the Kompleks KDN at Jelapang for a briefing and training session on citizenship documentation conducted by officials of the Registration Department.

Among the key officials who facilitated the session were the Registration Department Perak director, Tuan Haji Alias Mamat, Dato Ganesan, Speaker of Perak Assembly and Taskforce official Mr Thana.

Volunteers were briefed on how to advise and assist ordinary people in three main areas namely:-
  • Late birth registration
  • Late IC registration and application
  • On citizenship application especially for red IC card holders

Three officials of the Registration Department made detail presentations covering the following areas:-

  • Definition normal & late registration
  • Guidelines and conditions
  • Application process
  • Forms to be filled
  • Supporting documents required
  • Some case examples
Taskforce official, Mr Thana commented that the session was very informative and useful and this enables the volunteers in the pre campaign period to go to the ground and identify the cases as well as assist them to fill the relevant application forms.

Perak is now set to mobilize the core volunteers to venture into the local neighborhoods and do the needful in preparation for the campaign period beginning from Feb 19, 2011

Monday, January 24, 2011

JPN Office open during the My Daftar Campaign period.

The following JPN office is participating in the My Daftar Campaign. They are open from 9am to 1pm on Feb 19 (sat), Feb 20 (sun) and Feb 26 (sat) and from Jan 21 (mon) to 25 (fri) they are open during office hours. This is a special arragement through the Taskforce (PM Dept) and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Negeri / Daerah
No. Talipon
KEDAH

Anak Bukit, Alor Setar
04-7314585
Bandar Baharu, Serdang
04-4076353
Kubang Pasu, Jitra
04-9171890
Kuala Muda, Sungai Petani
04-4212726
Kulim, Kilang Lama
04-4911930



PULAU PINANG

Jalan Anson, Penang
04-2265161
Barat Daya, Balik Pulau
04-8668410
Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas
04-6437460
Bertam, Kepala Batas
04-5758143
Seberang Perai Tengah, Bkt Mertajam
04-5382621
Seberang Perai Selatan, Jawi
04-5822951
Seberang Perai Utara, Butterworth
04-3333380


PERAK

Bandar Meru Raya, Ipoh
05-5288805
Bagan Datok
05-6466939
Kinta, Batu Gajah
05-3661904
Batang Padang, Tapah
05-4011361
Hilir Perak, Telok Intan
05-6221197
Kampar
05-4661773
Kamunting
05-8916653
Krian, Parit Buntar
05-7161969
Kuala Kangsar
05-7761166
Larut Matang , Taiping
05-8072411
Manjung, Seri Manjung
05-6883261
Selama
05-8394263
Slim River
05-4528488
Sungai Siput
05-5984844
Tanjung Malim
05-4597232


SELANGOR

Shah Alam, Plaza Masalam
03-55107255
Gombak, Batu caves
03-61880362
Hulu Selangor, Kuala Kubu Baru
03-60641312
Klang, Jalan Kapar
03-33421455
Kuala Langat, Banting
03-31871821
Kuala Selangor
03-32898526
Petaling Jaya, Jalan Sultan
03-79562634
Pelabohan Klang
03-31684437  
Rawang, Pusat Bandar Rawang
03-60928486
Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar
03-32241325
Seri Kembangan, Taman Seri Serdang
03-89416524
Sepang, Salak Tinggi
03-87061107
Hulu Langat, Kajang
03-87334520
Taman Melawati
03-41089142


WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN

Maju Junction Mall
03-26925044



Negeri / Daerah
No. Talipon
NEGERI SEMBILAN

Seremban
06-7651600
Jempol, Bahau
06-4549609
Port Dickson
06-6471077
Rembau
06-6851733
Senawang
06-6788237
Tampin, Tampin Square
06-4411446


MELAKA

Ayer Keroh, Kompleks KDN
06-2326600
Bandar Alor Gajah
06-5563055
Jasin, Bandar Baru Jasin
06-5292005


PAHANG

Kuantan, Kompleks KDN 
09-5734455
Bentong
09-2221582
Cameron Highlands, Tanah Rata
 09-4911466
Kuala Lipis
09-3121072
Maran
09-4771266
Mentakab
09-2781239
Raub
09-3551336
Rompin
09-4145411
Temerloh
09-2961239


JOHOR

Johor Bahru, Wisma Negeri
07-2245388
Kluang
07-7724131
Labis
07-9251914
Pasir Gudang
07-2553717
Segamat
07-9312148
Ledang, Tangkak
06-9782527