KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday presented the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) Mid-Term Review (2016-2020) at the Dewan Rakyat, a document he described as being comprehensive in terms of reforming the country and ensuring the country’s development agenda is on the right track.
He said the review, which was also the first policy document prepared by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government since winning the General Election on May 9, would ensure Malaysia achieved its goal of becoming an advanced and inclusive nation, in line with the aspiration of Vision 2020 – a concept which he himself had mooted when tabling the 6th Malaysia Plan in 1991.
“This document shows a shift in mindset concerning development. We are no longer looking at development by measuring the rate of economic growth or gross domestic product (GDP) alone.
“We see development in terms of increasing people’s purchasing power and development that is enjoyed by all citizens or shared prosperity,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said the new policy would ensure that there was no large income gap between the poor and wealthy, as well as among races and ethnic communities.
“There should not be anyone left who feel they are marginalised from mainstream development. Development should also not be neglected in certain states or regions,” he said.
The Prime Minister said development in the real sense would be to contribute to the development of Malaysians and continuous economic growth, free from political influence.
He said for the second-half of 11MP, the PH government had set new priorities and emphasised on the philosophy, policy and development strategy of the country believed to be in line with the aspirations of the people and the government’s determination.
The prime minister said the document also made certain adjustments to medium term policies and strategies and assessed the achievements made in the 2016-2017 period as well as revised targets, strategies and initiatives for the remaining period from 2018-2020.
He said for the next two years, the government would intensify efforts to enhance the country’s economic resilience and the well-being of the people with a new emphasis placed on six pillars.
The six pillars are reforming governance towards increasing transparency and efficiency of public services; strengthening inclusive development and well-being of the people; heading towards a balanced regional development; empowering human capital; enhancing environmental sustainability through green growth; and strengthening economic growth.
Dr Mahathir said all the strategies laid out were meant to strengthen the economy, public institutions and good governance in hopes of redeeming the dignity and respect of the world.
“What I am presenting is for the people, for all Malaysians from Perlis to Sabah, for the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, Muruts and Orang Asli as well as other ethnic groups under the Malaysian sky.
“We want Malaysia to be united and we want Malaysians to succeed and enjoy the nation’s wealth, and I urge all Malaysians to take on this responsibility,” he said.
The prime minister said that if everything contained in the document was implemented, he believed Malaysia would roar back as one of the Asian Tigers and the country’s image would be switched from one governed by kleptocrats to a purely democratic state with a government that was clean, noble and of integrity.
He said that the country’s citizens living in all corners of the world should also be proud to introduce themselves as Malaysians.
Dr Mahathir also hoped that the country’s future generation could learn all the knowledge, acquire all the skills, strengthen their identity, adhere to religion and noble values, as well as reject corruption.
“Most of my generation has already left, to whom will we leave the fate of this nation, if not for the younger generation. Come on, let’s all work together and unite to create a glorious future for Malaysia,” he said, concluding his hour-long address. — Bernama