KUALA LUMPUR: The government has listed five priorities for the year 2021 in an integrated national recovery strategy post-Covid-19.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in his live New Year's address tonight, said the first strategy was to increase public health through the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and launching a nationwide vaccination programme.
The second strategy, he said, was to strengthen people's economy and to drive the country's economic growth post-Covid-19 through the implementation of the 2021 Budget and the 12th Malaysia Plan.
The third strategy was to ensure government and political stability including good governance as a foundation to sustainable economic recovery, he said.
"The fourth is to guarantee the country's sovereignty and strengthen Malaysia's position on the world stage, while the fifth is to strengthen ties among races and religions in shaping a united community against any threats."
Muhyiddin said the World Health Organisation's chief scientist had projected that it would take four to five years to effectively control Covid-19.
Economically, the International Monetary Fund Economic Outlook 2021 expects a global economic growth of 5.4 per cent in 2021, he said.
"The World Bank and Bank Negara Malaysia have predicted that Malaysia's economy will grow between 6.5 and 7.5 per cent.
"It is with these positive projections that the government will mobilise efforts to recover the situation in the country as best and as fast as possible," he said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the government will continue to develop a social safety net to protect vulnerable groups.
He said this includes direct cash aids, insurance coverage schemes for the Bottom-40 (B40) category, and strengthening the welfare system to protect the B40, the elderly and the disabled.
This, he added, was part of the government's grand agenda to eradicate poverty regardless of race and religion.
"Depending on the current economic situation, the government is ready to consider strategic fiscal injection if needed, such as the previous stimulus packages.
"The government will do its best to help lighten the people's burden, eradicate poverty, and improve the people's wellbeing.
"When the people's economy is strong, it will be easier for us to drive economic growth post-Covid-19. We cannot be complacent or careless with the success that we have achieved today," he remarked.
Muhyiddin said a comprehensive strategy through the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) would be announced early 2021 to revive and revitalise the country's economy.
He said the 12MP would focus on new drivers of the economy such as digital and green economies, with physical and digital infrastructure being built in cities and rural areas to guarantee that Malaysia remains competitive globally.
In line with this, the government would also be launching a National Digital Policy in the first quarter of 2021 with a special focus on the development of 5G networks, he added.
"Insya Allah when it is announced, I am certain that the 12MP will show a clear vision of the Malaysian economy for the new decade to ensure that economic growth continues to be inclusive and would benefit the people."