Kuala Lumpur: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is set to focus on investments in non-physical assets such as software, digital technology, and human capital development. Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib stated that these investments aim to create and multiply value for the future and enhance the country's economic competitiveness.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the 13MP aims to be the most significant Malaysia Plan in history by positioning Malaysia as a developed nation. This will involve laying essential foundations and fostering a developed society. She highlighted that becoming a developed country extends beyond achieving numerical targets, requiring disciplined medium- and long-term planning to support decision-making at various levels.
Hanifah noted that the 13MP will be drafted using an approach similar to the First Malaysia Plan, which is straightforward, comprehensive, and easy for Malaysians to understand. The plan will prioritize economic challenges and implement more radical reforms in an orderly manner to keep the government adaptive and responsive to the people's needs.
The 13MP will also integrate a sustainable development agenda into the country's five-year development plan. Hanifah stressed that the bold and radical initiatives under the plan will align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance Malaysia's development strategies. As the final five years of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda coincide with the 13MP period, its implementation must be holistic to ensure the achievement of the SDGs.
A key highlight of the engagement session was the reaffirmation of the government's commitment to integrating the SDGs into national development planning. In addition to a top-down approach, the government will engage stakeholders and interested parties, including the private sector, industry players, academia, non-governmental organisations, and the public to provide feedback.
The 13MP is a continuation of the 12MP, which covered the period from 2021 to 2025.