This is in response to Professor Navin Rajendran’s article in the Kuala Lumpur Post regarding community transformation. The statement had a headline that reads ‘Unity is the key to community transformation - Prof Rajendran’. In the five-sentence post, the professor was also quoted as saying that the community needs transformation in order to build a better future for the next generation.

I agree.

Unity is the key to community transformation

The only amendment that I suggest is ‘Unity is one of the keys to community transformation’. Because a community is built up by people from all walks of life and backgrounds, you can’t have just one key to multiple locks.

Even unity is a subject that is widely stretched from leaders to commoners. From the arguments among leaders who support and oppose the ruling party. to the sad state of commoners who criticise each other due to difference in ethnicity or belief system.

We stand divided for all reasons and what has MIC done to foster unity among us? Pardon me for always questioning MIC but I have no choice but to direct my questions to those who proclaim to be the only Indian Malaysian representatives in the Parliament.

Unity is literally a myth for the Indian Malaysians, please stop focusing on it alone if your aim is to transform the community.

My take is, if you are ready to speak about transformation, the real keys are; developing human capital and working on inclusivity.

Developing human capital is crucial in bridging the economic gap between the urban and rural residents. It determines the economic vitality of households; the biggest burden of our community. Human capital development should be carried out in a holistic approach and not just in term of literally preparing them for workforce.

From early education to post-graduation, equipping our people with all that is necessary to not just live but to succeed above average. Teach them the skills to utilise resources, discriminate situations, tolerate differences, identify opportunities, fearlessly step into globalisation, be proactive and participative in national agenda, plan their finance by way of saving and/or investing.

It has to be holistic like that, intelligent programmes and awareness programmes should be organised, those propelling us towards IT and globalisation – these are what we need.

Huge migrations from rural areas to urban cities is taking place and without the above skills, they lack employment opportunity and stand a high chance of falling into gangsterism and other criminal acts. Instead of rectifying the root causes long ago, we, the great Malaysia, have had ministers who happily claim that “ Masyarakat India dilahirkan sebagai perompak” - do you see transformation yet? I doubt it.

Aim at producing more professionals

We must aim at producing more professionals by 2025. We must target a certain number of PhD and Master’s holders that has to be produced on a yearly basis. I notice the Concerned UM Indian Graduates (Cumig) is doing excellent job lobbying for places in public universities among our students, why don’t initiatives be also taken to tie up with universities overseas to absorb our students for at least a semester to enhance their experience and hands-on skills?

MIC should draft plans as such and request for allocation from the federal government for this purpose. This is also part of developing human capital, while we don’t skip the consistency in organising skill trainings for SPM dropouts and those who don’t fare well academically.

This has to be the main focus in MIC’s blueprint; to develop human capital, as our community still lacks guidance and still needs to be equipped with skills for survival. Prepare them with expertise to become leaders with integrity and accountability - two of which you cannot run from if you are eyeing community transformation, we have rotten enough results from corruption and money-squandering.

Get an idea from ‘Investing in what works for America’s Communities - Essays on People, Place & Purpose ( 2012 )’ if you need to.

Although not touching on all related subjects, I have already written an article about inclusivity in TN50, here is the link.

Our leaders should at least work on the basic inclusivity first - to be equally respected, treated, eliminate all forms of discrimination and quickly respond to racist remarks or acts. Only then can we speak of economic inclusivity that is to be granted equal access to resources, opportunities and while in the political arena, to be included and valued in decision-making.

While the entire country is marching towards TN50, we are still talking about community transformation and unity. Who to be blamed? All of us. We had no KPIs and were not answerable to anyone. This is also important for a thorough transformation to take place; the presence of genuine leaders who put people first. Leaders who are supposedly by now, by hook or crook, have positioned at least the majority of us in the mainstream transformation already.

Better to be late than never, but please plan wisely and work together in achieving this agenda.

Transformation begins from visionary leaders, thus, transformation at the top level is needed first before we move to the roots.

S GOPINATH is president of the Malaysian Indian Network of Entrepreneurs Association (1MINE).