(AFP) The government has unveiled an ambitious 10-year development plan aimed at almost doubling per capita income by 2010, eradicating poverty and giving Malays a larger stake in the economy.

The "National Vision Policy" announced in Parliament by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad envisages annual gross domestic product growth of 7.5 percent as Malaysia moves towards a knowledge-based economy.

It restates a goal set in 1971 but still not achieved despite three decades of affirmative action - giving Malays and other indigenous races known as bumiputras a 30 percent stake in the Chinese-dominated business world.

For the first time the policy also targets Indians for help, saying efforts will be made in the next decade to raise their corporate stake to three percent from 1.5 percent now.

The policy is contained in the Third Outline Perspective Plan, (OPP3) which aims to build a "resilient and competitive" nation by 2010.

Mahathir said the plan "marks the second phase of the nation's journey to realise Vision 2020" - his ambition to make Malaysia a developed nation by that year.

Change mindset

But he stressed that Malays and other bumiputras must help themselves and the government can only set the conditions.

"In the face of challenges ahead the bumiputras must be prepared to change their mindset and even the value system," he said in a foreword to the 200-page plan drawn up by the Economic Planning Unit.

The plan proposes to raise bumiputra ownership to 30 percent by 2010 from 19.1 percent now through continued privatisation and promoting ventures in the manufacturing and services sectors.

It calls for "appropriate mechanisms" to increase the number of bumiputras in professional and executive jobs "to ensure employment pattern reflects the ethnic composition of the population".

Malays and other bumiputras make up 64 percent of the population, Chinese 25 percent and Indians about eight percent.

Colleges and universities will be required to produce more bumiputra graduates.

Areas classified as Malay reserve, native and customary land will be developed into commercial projects to be sold or leased to bumiputra entrepreneurs.

Cut poverty

The plan calls for a review of skills development to create more knowledge workers and a change in school curriculum to inculcate thinking skills and creativity.

Under the plan, annual per capita income is projected to double to RM23,610 ringgit (US$6,213 dollars) in 2010 from RM13,359 last year.

It seeks to cut poverty to 0.5 percent in 2005 from 7.5 percent now by targetting remote areas and bumiputra minorities in Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island, and to raise the income of the lowest 30 percent of households.

It also aims to foster unity and cultivate a "more tolerant and caring society."

"High on our priority list is forging a united nation consisting of a progressive and dynamic Bangsa Malaysia (Malaysian race) that lives in harmony and imbued with strong moral and ethical values," Mahathir said in the foreword.

Meet globalisation challenge

The plan calls for greater competitiveness to meet the challenges of globalisation and trade liberalisation.

It urges more efforts to boost science and technology, research and development.

Malaysia must "intensify its research and development capability, computer usage, Internet connectivity and higher education enrolment," it says.

Officials said a five-year growth plan would be announced April 23, with detailed proposals to achieve the targets.

Meanwhile, members of parliament (MPs) interviewed by malaysiakini had mixed reactions to the tabling of the OPP3. Government MPs were full of praise while those from the opposition had criticisms.

Works Minister S Samy Vellu, when met by reporters, commended the prime minister for revealing the plan. "I am satisfied (with the plan) because it covers the interests of all communities," he said.

The minister also expressed his gratitude to the government for its aim to raise the economic share equity of Indian-Malaysians to three percent from the previous target of 1.5 percent.

Samy Vellu, who is Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president, said the equity will be given through Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNB) shares specially allocated for Indians.

He said the OPP3 also indicated good education opportunities for the rakyat and he felt it would allow rural students to pursue their education.

Health Minister Chua Jui Meng also praised the OPP3 due to its emphasis on the development of human capital. "Human capital is the pride of Malaysia and human resources is the major prerequisite for nation building," he said.

"In the next ten years, we will see a 40 percent increase of those in the 17-23 age group, armed with higher education. This is a major breakthrough," he added.

Different view

Meanwhile, opposition MPs had a different view and many felt the presentation should have been postponed.

PAS president Fadzil Noor said it was necessary to give the MP's time to study, research and come up with proper reactions on the "philosophy and programmes behind the OPP3".

"We should at least have been given a three-day advance to read the report. Why does the government want to force us into accepting the plan?" questioned Fadzil.

He said he does not wish to see Parliament's role reduced to "a mere rubber stamp", adding that the opposition will continue to protest this issue during the allocated debate time.

Earlier during the debate, DAP member of parliament for Kepong Tan Seng Giaw said that the government had taken ten years to draw up the OPP3 but gave the MPs only a few hours to digest it.

Tan commended Mahathir for the plan but criticised the lack of time given to read it, adding that this was unacceptable if Mahathir wanted to project his government as one which was accountable, transparent and credible.