Meeting Minister YB Waytha Moorthy on B40 & Urban poverty concerns, 15 February 2019

Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria and Prof KS Nathan co-editors of the KITA-UKM publication entitled ‘Contemporary Malaysian Indians’ (2016) provided an introduction to this publication and findings to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s department in charge of the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) on February 15, 2019. During the discussion, matters were raised on how to strengthen the current delivery of services and programs by the Federal Government to the B40 communities especially the urban poor and flat dwellers residing in 38 districts in Peninsular Malaysia.

Minister agreed to host two public forums on Malaysian Indians and public policy & effective inclusive delivery. The first discussion on multi-dimensional poverty and the Mid-Term Review of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan and a second discussion on Leaving no one behind, Sustainable development Goals. The KITA-UKM team will provide policy research, analysis and assist in the monitoring process. It was a very fruitful discussion. We will seek to receive feedback from the academic community, social workers and grassroots activist in ensuring that no one especially from among the disadvantaged will be left behind as Malaysia moves beyond 2020.