MP to table Bill to bar abuse of affirmative action

PSM's Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj will table a Private Member's Bill on social inclusion in the next Dewan Rakyat sitting to prevent affirmative action abuse, including through political ties.

Termed the 'Social Inclusion Bill 2014', the Bill has been submitted to the parliament secretariat this morning for tabling in the sitting which commences March 10.

The Bill is supported by DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming (left). However, he stressed that this is in his capacity as a MP, and that he is not representing DAP's stand on the matter.

Addressing media on the matter today, he said that this is needed to create “checks and balance” and ensure that marginalised groups are receiving the benefits of affirmative action.

“In Malaysia, there is a tendency for institutionalised racism (where) certain groups are not recognised by the system.

“There is also a tendency for people who are not poor to benefit from affirmative action...based on political affiliations.

“The new Act will help provide a check-and-balance to ensure this aid goes to the group that deserves it,” he told reporters in a livestream of the press conference provided by Rakyat Times.

The preamble of the Bill states that its aim is to develop a “socially inclusive” society and to break inter-generational poverty cycles and yawning disparities.

“A socially inclusive society is one where the basic needs of all members of that society are met, so as to enable them to live in dignity,” it reads.

'Social Inclusion Commission'

Central to the Bill - which began its drafting and public consultation process in August 2012 by NGOs Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia and National Human Rights Society (Hakam) - is the formation of a Social Inclusion Commission.

The commission will develop social inclusion policies, identify marginalised individuals and their needs, as well as develop action plans to address the following:

• Reduce real poverty;
• Reduce income inequality;
• Eradicate institutionalised discrimination; and
• Built the capacity of marginalised communities.

The commission will also be tasked to prescribe “models of intervention” and monitor the implementation of social inclusion plans.

The Bill proposes that the commission have powers to conduct inquiries and surveys, along with being able to intervene in government agencies to ensure each plans are implemented in each parliamentary constitutency.

It will also have access to a special fund set up for the such purposes.

The Bill proposes that the commission is fully answerable to Parliament, with members appointed by the Agong among those recommended by a bipartisan parliamentary select committee headed by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, Ong said he is backing the Bill due to the “transparent” process it proposes and the commission's powers, accontability to Parliament, and its bipartisan nature.

“Other commissions like the Human Rights Commission are doing a good job to the best of their abilities, but their powers are limited.

“A minister has a lot of discretion of whether to reject or implement (a policy recommendation),” he told reporters.

He said the Bill is consistent with Pakatan Rakyat's 2013 general election manifesto for needs-based affirmative action.

However, DAP, PAS, and PKR have not explicitly expressed support for the Bill. The Bill was included in the PSM and Parti Rakyat Malaysia election manifesto.