|
In order to highlight the momentum on the possible appointment of an Ombudsman it may be useful to bring the entire question within some perspective. With respect, this will help focus on specific dimensions, and thereby hopefully make the debate more pointed and meaningful than would otherwise be the case.
{mosgoogle right}1. OBJECTIVE This involves the appointment of an Ombudsman to specifically take responsibility in ethnic and race relations concerned with the forging of national unity and integration through the concerns of the political economy and multiculturalism. The objective is to encapsulate a holistic vision in bringing the trends in social changes that have galvanized human behaviour into expressions of unity, the yearning for freedom, for dignity and social justice. 2. PURPOSE The purpose is to formulate and implement relevant policies involving macro and micro dimensions of both the external and internal scenarious that impinge on political and economic decisions affecting harmonious ethnic and race relations for political stability. It is also the intention to understand the meaning of power in striving for progress, law and social justice so that the ideas of democracy, equality, civil rights, cooperation and peace can be forged and sustained. 3. SCOPE The emphasis will be based on the premise that an understanding of the diverse historical background of development in Malaysia is itself vital in the conceptualization of the social issues and problems confronting the nation. It must be understood therefore that the roots of nationalism, class formation, race, ethnicity and regionalism are to be found in the Malaysian response to cope with international market forces and technology-driven globalization. The dynamic and indeed transformative nature and revolutionary impact of this scenario on the pattern of ethnic and raced relations has been passed over and not incorporated into the knowledge data base. The scope therefore will attach priority to highlighting this objective. The scope will also encompass and build a wide and increasingly comprehensive knowledge base. This will draw heavily on new ideas and even ideals where it becomes possible to have a free hand to pick up “new things” and to test and apply them along with new theories. It is important to mention that the scope will essentially focus on remedies to factors and situations identified as contributory and precipitating respectively in potentially conflict situations. Indeed there is the dire need to review the vast array of plans and projects with a view to institute reforms. The Government since the inception of the 5 year Development Plans from the 1960’s has created a wide range of social institutions across the board and throughout the nation, and there has never been any attempt to evaluate their effectiveness in meeting the objectives for which they were created. On the basis of feedback on this question it can be asserted that something in the region of 75% of projects had been either incomplete or downright failures. With the 9MP under review and especially with the comprehensive plans for Malaysia becoming a developed nation by 2020 it is absolutely imperative that the Ombudsman gives priority to the implementation of reforms for these objectives if they are to be successfully achieved. 4. METHODOLOGY The theoretical frame of reference clearly postulates taking up the issues, problems and questions of ethnic and race relations, in the context of ideas, ideologies and activities within external and internal social institutions. However the main focus of the methodology must concern implementation. In this the Ombudsman must function in the context of the proposed National Operations Council. It must be made clear that the Council must be an integral and indispensable part of the duties and responsibilities of the Ombudsman so that he will in effect ‘rely’ on the Council for advice and guidance at all times. The composition of the Council will be essentially representatives of NGO’s drawn from a cross section of political, economic and religious institutions as was the case in the NOC formed as an aftermath of the May 13th race riots. In addition consideration must also be given to representation of the Armed Forces (as was done in the earlier NOC) for purposes of ensuring that approved reforms and projects were implemented without delay. It is submitted that in the present exercise representation on the NOC needs to be widened to include the respective Chambers of Commerce, SME’s and of groups in Felda, plantation estates, smallholder rubber, oil palm and agricultural producers. A crucial dimension in the methodology will involve the setting up of a R&D division. Dr Collin Abraham
 |
Lets examine what will happen if all you have stated is put in place ?
Will those with the political clout feel any better ?
Would they take this as an infringement on their status as beholder or defender of the particular race and religion.
Can the kampung folks grasp the benefits on the long run or would they sucuumb to the ploys of the artistans and shout it down?