KUALA LUMPUR: The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) is a comprehensive development plan to ensure sustainable economic growth with a more equitable distribution of opportunities and outcomes.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who tabled the 12MP in Dewan Negara, today said with the aim 'Keluarga Malaysia - Prosperous, Inclusive, Sustainable', the reforms introduced in the 12MP included three themes, four policy catalysts, and 14 drivers of change, with RM400 billion allocated for its initiatives.
"The government takes a whole-of-nation approach involving the entire machinery and agencies of government, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations (or CSOs) as well as the people in the formulation and implementation of this plan.
"I realise that the Keluarga Malaysia places high hopes on the government to manage this double crisis. The government will allocate RM400 billion to meet the needs of 12MP, especially to fund development projects.
"However, in the current limited financial situation, the focus of spending in 2021 and 2022 is to protect lives and livelihoods, as well as fulfilling extension project commitments," he said, adding the government expected its financial position to improve in 2023.
In his speech, Ismail Sabri summarised the 12MP into nine main focus points, which are:
- First: Boosting Economic Growth
- Second: Strengthening Growth catalysts
- Third: Improving the well-being of Keluarga Malaysia
- Fourth: Strengthening public security and peace
- Fifth: Eradicating hardcore poor and bridging the income gap
- Sixth: Empowering the Bumiputera Agenda and Keluarga Malaysia
- Seventh: Boosting the development of Sabah, Sarawak and other underdeveloped states
- Eighth: Accelerate green growth
- Ninth: Improving public service delivery and ensuring effective policy implementation.
The Prime Minister, who is also Bera member of Parliament, said the 2022 Budget which would be tabled on Oct 29, would list in detail the programmes and projects to implement strategies and initiatives under the 12MP and support its achievements.
"I am optimistic that with signs of economic recovery and the national development agendas under 12MP and the 2022 Budget, we are able to drive the country towards a more sustainable economic growth.
"Indeed, this crisis has united us all and provided an opportunity to make inclusive changes."
Ismail Sabri also hoped that the memorandum of understanding for transformation and political stability, agreed upon on Sept 13, would continue to be upheld by both sides of the divide in line with the Keluarga Malaysia approach.
"This understanding will allow us to fully focus on fighting the pandemic and put the country on a stronger growth base."
Meanwhile, he said the 12MP placed several main targets to ensure the strategies and initiatives implemented could be judged based on its success.
Among the main targets include Gross Domestic Product growth from 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent in 2021 to 2025, and second, to have an average household income estimated at about RM10,000 monthly in 2025.
"Third, the GDP per capita gap ratio between the central region and Sabah to be reduced to 1:2.5, while for Sarawak reduced to 1:1.2 in 2025.
"Fourth, the reduction in the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent to the GDP by 2030, based on emission intensity in 2005," he said.
The 12MP was passed in Parliament last Thursday without any amendments.
It was tabled by Ismail Sabri on Sept 21, and was debated for seven days from Sept 28 before winding up by ministries for three days from Oct 5.
A total of 106 members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition participated in the debate.
Among the matters raised by MPs throughout the debate were health issues, construction of poorly-maintained schools, vaccines, post-Covid-19 impacts, development of Sabah and Sarawak, urban poverty, assistance for the poor and the B40 group, as well as national water supply management.