Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy), Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has commented that the 12^th Malaysia Plan (12MP) will prioritise the people’s welfare and social protection. These include issues such as poverty, income gap, as well as the rural and urban poor – in addition to other people-centred projects.

Speaking on air during an RTM programme last night, the minister touched on Covid-19’s significant impact on the country’s people and economy. He emphasised that as much as 20% of the M40 income group – equivalent to about 580,000 households – has now dropped into the B40 category. As such, the government must employ the 12MP to address issues related to the people’s wellbeing, such as health and economic hardships.

“Many who live in rural areas do not have social security and are self-employed, and some are working in the gig economy sector without social security. This pandemic has prompted us to relook at some policies that did not seem to be a problem before, but is now problematic. This is something we have to deal with,” said Datuk Seri Mustapa.

Accordingly, the minister said that the government will cut down on mega projects in the following year, and continue to give attention to basic-needs project in rural areas instead. These include ongoing projects such as the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) and the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), among others.

Datuk Seri Mustapa further noted that the five-year 12MP will also seek to address matters related to Sabah and Sarawak. “The 12MP will also focus on our promises related to the 1963 Malaysia Agreement with regards to the government’s commitment to the development of Sabah and Sarawak, encompassing the construction of roads, hospitals, schools, and digital [infrastructure],” he said.

(Source: The Edge Markets)

• TAGS:
• 12th Malaysia Plan
• 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP)
• B40
• B40 Households
• Covid-19
• Covid-19 Economy
• Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed
• East Coast Rail Link (ECRL)
• Income Gap
• Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS)
• M40
• Poverty