KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), set to be tabled in July 2025, will include input from both stakeholders and government aid recipients.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said this would include perspectives aimed at bridging the socioeconomic gap between regions in the country, a key pillar of the government's policies.
Following this, he added that the government has launched the 'Madani Listening Tour', running from September to December 2024, to gather broader input and views from groups beyond the usual planners, government bodies, and international organisations.
"The issue of bridging the development gap between regions is indeed a cornerstone of government policy and it is integrated into all forms of government programmes. For instance, the allocation of development expenditure is prioritised for less developed areas compared to more developed ones.
"(However,) we want to hear directly from the recipient groups, such as fishermen, students, or young people in rural areas, because although the issue of the socioeconomic gap between regions is well known, the challenge for the government is to design effective programmes without leakages.
"Through the Madani tour, the direct input from recipients and stakeholders of these government assistance programmes will also provide a micro perspective, enabling us to address all these aspects.
"This is to ensure that the 13MP not only has the right policies but also implements programmes that are truly aligned with the constraints and needs of its recipients, particularly those in less developed areas," he said during the minister's question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Rafizi was responding to a supplementary question from Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN-Temerloh), who enquired about the government's strategy to bridge the socioeconomic gap between states and localities.
Commenting further on the 13MP, Rafizi said the draft needs to be designed in a more holistic, strategic and inclusive manner to achieve the objectives of the Madani economy, which aims to restructure the economy and society, positioning Malaysia as a leading economic force in Asia and improving the quality of life for its people.
He added that, for the government to formulate a comprehensive policy, a more agile and people-centred approach is also required.
"In this regard, the involvement of various parties and all levels of society will be considered.
"Opinions and suggestions voiced will be used as input for the government in drafting strategies, including several reforms that are more bold and radical."
He added that the ministry is also actively holding engagement sessions, dialogues and meetings with inter-agency planning groups to gather input and suggestions that will be considered for the 13MP.
"A conference on the 13MP was also organised in collaboration with the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme on Sept 5 and 6, 2024.
"The conference served as a platform for sharing information and experiences from local and international experts on megatrends, socioeconomic issues and challenges, as well as appropriate strategies for the government to consider in drafting the 13MP's policies and direction."