CPPS BOOK LAUNCH PRESS BRIEF

CPPS BOOK LAUNCH

The CPPS book was launched on March March 28, 2013 by Datukj Saifuddin Abdullah at Pullan Hotle, Putrajaya

 In 2012, the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS), which is ranked as the 7^th Best in Asia and 9^th Best in the world as think tank, hosted a series of twelve Round Table Discussions (RTDs)

 

The findings of the RTDs on contemporary public concerns are documented in this publication  entitled “Malaysian Issues & Concerns: Some Policy Responses”.

 

The RTDs serve as a very effective tool for feedback and stakeholder engagement for policy analysis, formulation, advocacy and networking. These discussions enabled the ‘meeting of minds’ and sitting across the table to share and hear, to speak up and to listen, to argue and counter argue. What is essential is for people with differing ideas, visions, understandings, dreams and experiences to sit down and discuss with each other.

 

Much of our problem is the ineffective communication and the inability to listen and understand the others’ perspective. For community cohesion we need people’s forum for discussion and sharing, meeting of minds and heart.

CPPS has provided a conducive and inclusive environment for public policy discussions. The access provided for policy discussions has enriched the discussion through the participation of diverse personalities and their organisations from public, private, voluntary, civil society and academia.

The findings of these RTDs are documented in this publication in three parts based on a thematic presentation rather than chronological order.

The first part is entitled Sustainable Development. There are three chapters in this section. Both chapter 1 and chapter 2 focus on the Rio+20 global gathering. Chapter 3 addresses concerns of the poor and the bottom 40 % of the economic ladder

CPPS hosted two RTDs on this theme. Chapter 1 covers the pre Rio+20 and Chapter 2, the post Rio+20 event. The Conference on Sustainable Development was one of the most major events hosted in 2012, by the United Nations which is also called Rio+20.

The second part of this book focuses on Educational concerns. Three RTDs were hosted with chapter 4 documenting the issues pertaining to vernacular schools, which are national schools and the challenges encountered here. The Federal government initiative for public feedback on the education blue print saw the need to host two RTDs which is the focus of attention of chapters 5 and 6. One was organised as gathering input to the Education Blue Print and another was hosted when the blue print was launched as a response to what was released by the Ministry of Education.

The third part of the book contains six chapters which arise out of the six RTDs hosted pertaining to Community concerns. While the discussions started from an ethnic and community perspective recognising where we are but we must steer the discussions towards fostering a national perspective. This was effectively done through identifying common cutting concerns which transcend ethnic boundaries.

Chapter 7 provides a methodology write-up and details. Chapter 8 is on community concerns from the Bumiputra perspectives including the concerns of Malays, natives of Sabah & Sarawak and the Orang Asli community. Chapter 9 and chapter 10 are on Indian and Chinese concerns respectively.

However the focus on chapter 11 and 12 documents the discussion from a national perspective. We recognised there were many cross cutting concerns which are not ethnic specific but which requires intervention from a national dimension so as to ensure inclusion and effective delivery to benefit all sub sections of Malaysian society.

Chapter 12 highlights fifteen common community concerns which emerged from the Roundtable Conversations. They are the overarching concerns, which are common to all communities. These concerns are:-

•           Ensuring equality of citizenship

•           Enhancing democracy and human rights

•           Addressing poverty and inequality with a focus on the bottom 40%

•           Empowering through education and skills training

•           Enlarging employment opportunities including civil service

•           Enlarging business and economic opportunities

•           Addressing crime and ensuring public safety and security

•           Increasing inter- religious and tolerance

•          Strengthen national unity and integration agenda with a deeper sense of celebrating              diversity (culture & language)

•          Instill a deep sense of patriotism and respect for King & nation enhancing the role  of Monarchy in public life

•           Recognize youth potential and create new measures for engagement

·         Taping the full potential of civil society and grassroots organisations as partners in development

·         Ensuring effective decentralization of local government

·         Fostering greater autonomy for States especially in Sabah and Sarawak

·         Ensuring effective governance and implementation

These fifteen must become the dominant feature of public policy and public sector delivery. There is an attempt here to look at community concerns from a Malaysian perspective thereby moving away from a conflict analysis towards a more inclusive, social cohesion agenda.

The Foreword of the book is written by Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, the CPPS Chairman who has moderated 5 out of 12 Round Table Discussions (RTD) held.  

The book is edited by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Principal Research Fellow, Institute of Ethnic Studies, and UKM.

Special thanks go to Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, the CEO of ASLI, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam CPPS Chairman and Ms Ng Yeen Seen, Director of CPPS for all the support and valuable assistance in ensuring the success of the Round Table Discussions held; and the publication of this book.

Special appreciation is also due to YB Dato Saifuddin Abdullah, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education for his active participation at several RTDs.  Thanks to the CPPS Secretariat for the assistance rendered in the preparation of this book.