Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has revealed that Budget 2021 will feature a special focus on sustainability, with an important announcement to be made on it during the tabling of the national budget 6 November.

According to Muhyiddin, Malaysia – like all other countries globally – must reconsider its development agenda following the spread of Covid-19, which serves as a wake-up call for the world. This is especially with regard to the idea of sustainability and green technology, both of which play a vital role in driving the economy.

“Lockdowns across the world made us reflect, made us think, and we started to realise that we need to change our ways. We need to rethink our relationship with the planet and we need to build back better. Due to all of us being at home, we also noticed we had better air quality and mother earth had time to reinvigorate,” said the prime minister at the virtual International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM).

Muhyiddin also commented that although this improvement is short-lived, with people soon returning to their old ways once the lockdowns were lifted, it indicated that “there is a promising path of green recovery as we wade through this pandemic.” He added that a green recovery approach will not only spur the economy and social wellbeing, but also drive Malaysia’s development along a low-carbon and climate-resilient route.

The prime minister also noted that Malaysia should take advantage of its status as one of the 12 mega-biodiverse countries in the world to push for a stronger green recovery agenda. Additionally, with the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016 – 2020) now entering its final phase, and Covid-19 challenging the government to build its resilience, Muhyiddin believes that green recovery is the best way forward.

(Source: The Edge Markets)

• TAGS:
• Budget 2021
• Green Recovery
• International Greentech And Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM)
• Sustainability
• Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin