By Yasmin Ramlan
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 – The Unity Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is committed to putting Malaysia back in the saddle through economic development and institutional reforms, according to Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’s Seri Amirudin Shari.
In his speech at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) National Affairs Conference, Amirudin noted how the federal administration has taken a collective approach to ensuring this goal is achieved.
He cited four major policies implemented at the federal level in the past couple of months, namely the Madani Economy framework, Energy Transition Plan, New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP), and the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Mid-term Review.
“While the road ahead is filled with uncertainty, this government under the prime minister’s leadership is certainly committed to putting Malaysia back on the right track.
“This is so that no matter who the government is in the upcoming term, Malaysia will be in a better place four to five years from now compared to November last year,” he said at the conference, held in conjunction with KLSCAH’s 100th anniversary, here, today.
Elaborating on the four major approaches taken by Putrajaya, Amirudin said Madani Economy is implemented to lift Malaysians out of the middle-income trap, in order to build a more dignified economy.
“The Energy Transition Plan, announced jointly with (Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, seeks to transition Malaysia’s energy production from traditional fossil fuels and coal power to renewable and more sustainable energy.
“NIMP, meanwhile, aims to re-industrialise Malaysia to be the port-of-choice for high quality manufacturing in Asia and Southeast Asia, after going through a period of premature deindustrialisation in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s,” he said.
As for the 12MP Mid-Term Review, which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Amirudin said it focuses on transitioning the economy to a high-income nation.
This, he noted, will be done by reducing income inequality, improving the quality of infrastructure, and using Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to short-circuit the process of equipping young Malaysians with better skills to get higher-income jobs.
Earlier in his speech, Amirudin reminded everyone to be aware of external threats that can affect the local economy.
These include the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, US-China geopolitical tussle, and supply chain disruption as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“One thing is clear; the threats are endless. But in every crisis, I truly believe that represents an opportunity to pivot and innovate.
“As a small nation, we cannot rest on our laurels and hope that the business-as-usual approach will prepare us for success,” he said.
