The time now is right for re-structuring to take place for the implementation of the 9th Malaysia Plan.

The recent announcement by the prime minister, of the new strategy for rural development, literally takes a page from the Red Book strategy of the late Abdul Razak with one important difference.

This was that of the posting of civil servants as development officers to the district and state levels for the Plan's implementation. With respect, perhaps we might share our experiences in the 11-man National Committee for Gerakan Maju (Community Development) to which I was appointed by Razak as the only non-Malay and the youngest member.

In this position, we were able to oversee the implementation process and hold every officer answerable for the progress of every project in the district. At the same time, these officers were backed by the representatives of all the departments at the district and state level connected with development.

Interestingly, they were also assisted by trained officers from the Department of Social Welfare who adopted social work skills very effectively in the 'enabling' process of plan recipients.

In this connection, as a social worker at the time, I was directly involved in certain projects such as inducing farmers to double crop padi in the Muda Scheme and in settler development in Felda.

Indeed, I would venture to say that some of our unemployed social science graduates might be selected for a 'crash course' to serve as settler development officers at grassroots level as catalysts in the implementation of projects. I would be happy to be associated with such training if needed.

The re-affirmation of the Red Book process would also fit in nicely with the comment of the minister Effendi Norwawi that what was needed for implementation of the 9th Malaysia Plan was a 'more structured planning and monitoring system'.