Melaka: State governments must prioritise critical sectors that contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP) to ensure holistic national development, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He emphasized that priority under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) should be given to projects related to the electrical and electronics industry.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar often reminds participants at special state-level development meetings that priorities listed by central agencies, the Ministry of Economy, and the state governments must be aligned and focused on the actual needs of the people. He stressed that state and district leadership must also understand the ministry's focus, as federal government demands often exceed its economic capacity due to various constraints.

During a special Melaka State Development Meeting, Anwar noted that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh presented Melaka's wishlist to the federal government. This wishlist included road infrastructure, flood mitigation projects, reconstruction, and new school buildings, as well as additional wards at Jasin Hospital, public housing projects, and museum upgrades for the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Anwar urged civil servants to enhance and expedite efforts to ensure more effective project delivery for the people, preventing delays that could burden the federal government's finances. Today's special meeting marks the last to be held across the states before the federal government finalises project proposals under the 13MP, which will be refined ahead of the 2026 Budget announcement in October.