DAP calls on Datuk Hussein Onn to effect a greater multi-racial balance in the public service sector

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, at the annual general meeting of the Klang Pasar DAP Branch in Klang, on Friday, 22nd August 1980 at 7pm

DAP calls on Datuk Hussein Onn to effect a greater multi-racial balance in the public service sector under the Fourth Malaysia Plan in keeping with the NEP objective to remove any identification of race with vocation

One of the two declared objectives of the New Economic Policy, under which the various Five-Year Plans were formulated, was the restructuring of society to eliminate the identification of race with vocation.

While this is a laudable objective, its success and that of the overriding aim of NEP – to achieve national unity – could only be realised if this restructuring prong of the NEP is perceived and seen as a national and balanced process, and not a lop-sided, selective exercise affecting certain sectors but not others. This has given rise to considerable dissatisfaction and alienation leading to undermining of the process of nation building.

The public sector, as the largest employer in the country, has a special responsibility to set an example in this restructuring programme – to bring about a greater multi-racialisation in the country.

In the past, however, there had been many areas of government sectors where this balanced restructuring does not appear to have been given the necessary attention – leading to the neglect of the NEP objective to work towards elimination of race with vocation.

As example is the government intake of trainees as nurses and hospital assistants.

From 1972-1979, the breakdown according to race of trainees as nurses and hospital assistants are as follows:

(1) Breakdown by race of trainee nurses recruited for the Ministry of Health 1972-1979

Year Malays Chinese Indians Others Total

1972 503 59 7 0 569
1973 766 103 19 1 889
1974 818 128 31 3 980
1975 722 112 20 3 857
1976 545 97 25 2 670
1977 524 138 31 3 696
1978 513 149 49 2 713
1979 470 120 60 4 654
_____ ____ ___ ___ _____
5,093 914 244 18 6,269

For the eight years from 1972-1979, the total number of trainee nurses recruited by the Health Ministry comprises 81.2% Malays, 14.6% Chinese, 3.9% Indians, 0.3% Others.
(2) Breakdown by race of trainee hospital assistants recruited by Ministry of Health 1971-1979

Year Malays Chinese Indians Others Total

1971 153 14 8 0 175
1972 185 9 3 3 200
1973 154 13 11 2 180
1974 168 15 16 1 200
1975 193 26 21 0 240
1976 196 30 9 5 240
1977 132 32 16 0 180
1978 131 29 15 5 180
1979 17 8 5 0 30
_____ ____ ___ ___ _____
1329 176 104 16 1625

For the nine years from 1971-1979, the total number of trainee hospital assistants recruited by the Health Ministry comprises Malays 81.8%, Chinese 10.8%, Indians 6.4%, Others 1%.

Clearly, there is urgent need for greater commitment by the Ministry of Health and the Health Minister in particular, Tan Sri Chong Hong Nyan, to a more balanced restructuring process.

In this connection, I call on the Prime Minister, Dato Hussein Onn, to effect a greater multi-racial balance in the public service sector under the Fourth Malaysia. Plan in keeping with the NEP objective to remove any identification of race with vocation.

DAP to hold a One-Day Seminar on Fourth Malaysian Plan at end of October for DAP MPs and State Assemblymen

The Fourth Malaysia Plan will be presented to Parliament next year, and will be the basis of the government’s development plans and efforts for the next five years.

It is imperative that the Fourth Malaysia Plan should adhere strictly to the NEP objective national unity. The Sixties and Seventies, and the development plans during those decades, have led to an accumulation of antagonism, alienation and bitterness among the people, especially among the young generation of Malaysians.

These are danger signs which national leaders must heed and take stock before they deteriorate further.

The Fourth Malaysian Plan, therefore, must be a Plan of Unity and Reconciliation to break the vicious circle of racial suspicion, bitterness and distrust of the Sixties and Seventies.

The DAP will hold a one-day seminar on the Fourth Malaysian Plan for its MPs, State Assemblymen and leaders at the end of October to give our ideas and suggestions as to how the Fourth Malaysia Plan could become a Plan of Unity and Reconciliation for the diverse peoples, races, cultures and religions in Malaysia.