A Tribute to Ramesh Chander
A Tribute to Ramesh Chander
Datuk Ramesh Chander was much more than just the nation’s first chief statistician.
Datuk Ramesh Chander was a pioneer development economist whose work resulted in the development of a full and still in use statistical system for an independent Malaysia, his expertise extended to a large range of socio-economic sectors and issues relevant to the economic development and well being of the country.
Not many are aware of the important role that Ramesh played in helping develop the New Economic Policy with its initial promise of helping bring about the eradication of poverty and in rebalancing the economy to ensure a just, fair and equal society for all.
Fewer may be aware of how disillusioned Ramesh became with with the subsequent defects and abuses of the policy’s implementation that has continued well beyond its original lifespan and is still in place with its Malay preference provisions.
Ramesh’s expertise was recognized by the World Bank following his retirement when he was appointed as Statistical Adviser in the Bank’s headquarters. Living in Wash D.C. he played a key role in helping build the statistical capacity of developing member countries as well as the Bank’s statistical system.
Ramesh’s heart and concerns were always located in Malaysia. This accounts for his quiet and gentle but intellectually robust contribution to the ongoing socio-economic developments shaping and misshaping Malaysia’s development and future.
Unfortunately, much of Ramesh’s contribution was behind the scenes and is unlikely to be acknowledged or appreciated.
But we have been privileged to have had his friendship, camaraderie and wisdom; and one way of honouring him is to share some recent pieces in which we have had his contribution as a fellow commentator in our effort to influence the nation’s policy framework and direction.
Lim Teck Ghee and Murray Hunter
Can Jakim and Madanisation help economic planning? By Lim Teck Ghee, Murray Hunter, and Ramesh Chander 19 June 2023
My Say: Follow-up on IMF’s report card with an overhaul of the 12th Malaysia Plan Ramesh Chander, Murray Hunter and Lim Teck Ghee / The Edge Malaysia 05 Apr 2023
Budget 23: Another Missed Opportunity Ramesh Chander, Murray Hunter and Lim Teck Ghee / theedgemarkets.com 27 Feb 2023
Breaking the vicious cycle of Poverty Lim Teck Ghee, Murray Hunter, and Ramesh Chander 25 October 2021
12MP: In search of a realistic new social-economic strategy Murray Hunter, Ramesh Chander, and Lim Teck Ghee 25 October 2021
Pakatan Harapan: On recapturing Putrajaya Ramesh Chander, Murray Hunter and Lim Teck Ghee 17 Nov 2021
‘Keluarga Malaysia’ budget racially contorted Ramesh Chander, Lim Teck Ghee & Murray Hunter Published: Nov 5, 2021
12th Malaysia Plan: 3 steps backwards Ramesh Chander and Lim Teck Ghee 4 Oct 2021
Our demographic features are untruthful. The dept of statistics publishes data which is "fixed" to make the bumis always at 60% or more. In the early 70s, I was at Malaysia House in London when a very senior member of the staff came up to me and told me that a secret census post 69 revealed that Chinese outnumber Malays. This prompted mamak to start his campaign to bring in muslims from the Philippines and Indonesia. He also started his NEP and ketuanan policies and systematically excluded Chinese from the civil service and public universities. Hence thousands of Chinese emigrated bringing down the percentage in the population. This is not enough. For many years I have witnessed census takers visiting my Taman and nearby Taman but only to Malay households. By systematically excluding Chinese households you will get a higher percentage of Malays in the final total. The statistics dept is cooperating with the govt in gerrymandering the demographics of Malaysia.
How did dodgy statistics evolve in Bolehland?
I remember a UN professor expert questioned our employment data, and he received quite a mouthful from our statistics masseur and jobsworths.