Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email ELECTION 2008: Book to help MIC candidates
By : Azira Shaharuddin
source
KUALA LUMPUR: A book about all the work done by the MIC and issues concerning the Indian community will be on sale beginning next week. The book, entitled Social Development and Indians in Malaysia, An Agenda for Social Inclusion, is a compilation of 113 articles written by Social Strategic Foundation executive director Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria. The articles appeared on the foundation’s website between 2002-2007. The book is published by the Social Strategic Foundation.
“The objective is to provide an account of my thoughts and views and for others to build on it,” Denison said.
He also said the book was to show that Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and MIC have been active in the formulation of policies for the Indian community. “There are successes but we acknowledge there is room for improvement,” he said. He added the books would be given to all MIC candidates for the general election. “We’ll give the book to the candidates if it becomes an issue for them to acknowledge work by MIC through the foundation, and to convey it to the community,” he said.
The book is divided into nine sections, with the first three addressing issues in social development, institutional mechanisms to enhance development and common concerns in addressing poverty. The remaining six sections focus on some of the key concerns of Indians in Malaysia especially areas such as access to social development provisions, educational opportunities including skills training and economic participation in business and equity markets.
The 449-page book is targeted at the community and leaders of non-governmental organisations, government officials and agencies, universities, opinion leaders and also the opposition parties. “This is not an academic book, it is more for conversations and sharing of ideas and being open to criticism.”
