Eigth Malaysia Plan

Social Development
The eighth plan period will continue efforts in expedite housing development to meet demand of increasing population. The goal is to supply affordable, quality housing for all income groups. More low cost houses will be built and quality of housing in rural areas such as basic amenities will be monitored to ensure an adequate living standard.
To ensure the efficiency of social development, the eight plan states that measures will be taken to strengthen capability of local authorities. Steps to be taken include hiring more employees and the use of information technology. Problems address and to be solved in the eight Malaysia Plan are development of quality landscape, clean and attractive gardens, poor sanitation, flash floods, traffic congestion and pollution. There will be major upgrades of radial roads, drainage improvement and river maintenance. Transfer stations, sanitary landfills and incinerators will be built whilst on the other hand heavy public campaign will be launched to educate public in recycling activities participation.
Other than that, according to the plan, a hefty RM800 million will be allocate to develop new fire stations and facilities in strategic locations. During the plan period, there will also be a completion of a fire and rescue academy namely Wakaf Tapai located at Trengganu. ICT will also be installed in fire departments and R&D activities will also be taken.
The Eighth plan also seeks to continue developing libraries to promote reading habit amongst public. Campaigns such as Kempen Gerakan Membaca will be launched to encourage reading. Other than that, Pusat Siber Ilmuwill be established in libraries to enhance IT literacy. Other than studying, the eight plan also focus much on sports realizing its importance in contribution of nationals unity. Various program were hosted to promote sports and with the hosting of SEA Games XXI in 2001, a total of 35 venues throughout the country will be upgraded.
The eighth plan also has plans in upgrading current radio and TV broadcasting systems to be in line with information technology. A world class e-village in Selangor was built to promote local films. The government also emphasizes much efforts in strengthening cultural understanding and consciousness amongst Malaysians. Conservation of historical monuments will also be made according to UNESCO guidelines.
Community development is not left out in the eight plan. Formal pre school classes will be designed and vision schools will be set to facilitate intermingling among children from different ethnic backgrounds. Rukun Tetangga programs will be expanded and the Gerakan Desa Wawasanprogram will be strengthen to expose communities in rural areas to ICT. The government will also march together with various NGOs in perfecting programs of family development, elder citizens and disable persons. Social science research will be greater emphasize to formulate relevant policies and social development programmes
Poverty Reduction
The eight plan has set few objectives to curb poverty. The first objective is to reorienting poverty education programs to reduce the incidence of poverty by 0.5% by 2005. Secondly, efforts will be make on improving quality of life in rural areas by upgrading quality of basic amenities such as education, health, recreation and housing. The third objective is to narrow the income imbalance between ethnic groups, economic sectors, income group and states.
The eighth plan will focus on pockets area of poverty, particularly remote areas. Issues of poverty amongst Sabah & Sarawak and other Bumiputeras will be especially given concern. The eight plan predicts a strong income growth during the plan period and hence assume more income can be made by the poor to move out of poverty. Some direct efforts that the plan concludes, will build more community colleges to provide hands on training for school leavers and workers especially in estates and rural areas to increase their income generating capability. Various measures will also be made to ensure poor and low income group will benefit from the programs.
The government in the eight plan will also continue to provide food supplements, free textbooks and financial assistance for the low income group to ensure their life are not jeopardized. Existing schools in rural areas will also be upgraded to par with urban schools. This measure will cure poverty from the root as children with better education will be more likely to escape poverty.
Other than that, various programs such as PPRT and other poverty reduction plans will be consolidated under a centralized body, the Skim Pembangunan Kesejahteraan Rakyat or known as SPKR for better control. The SPKR will then address issues of specific vulnerable group in rural areas which have a high incidence of poverty with many of its arms such as Program Pembangunan Insan, ASB – Sejahtera and NAP3.
On the other hand, poverty in urban centers are too not neglected. Governmnet in the eight plan will support on opportunities to generate income and basic housing amenities. Local authourities will also carry out their responsibility in the resettlement of squatters. Programs under this plan are Integrated Development for Urban Communities, Pusat RAHMAT , Projek HARAPAN and Skim Khas Ibu Tunggal .
After addressing issues of both rural and urban, a comprehensive development plan is also developed for Orang Asli. SPKR will hands on to eliminate extreme poverty of Orang Asli by implementing various programs. A more detailed household survey will also be made on Sabah and Sarawak to better find out targets in extreme need of assistance. Government will also co operate with state owned yayasan basmi kemiskinan, private sector and various NGOs to provide skills ad financial contribution to the poor.
Apart from eridating poverty, the government on the eight plan also emphasize on the quality of life of the group. More basic and better amenities are expected to reach remote areas in the eight plan period. These amenities are potable water, electricity supply, health, education and communication. A target line of eligibility criteria for assistance is also set to assist households which have income lesser than RM1200.

Appendix

Source retrieved from: http://www.epu.gov.my/en/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=e73bc66b-9751-49a1-81a8-42989a84c803&groupId=283545