THE recently introduced 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) offers all the right solutions for the country. In identifying the plan’s key objectives, choosing the word resilience is an apt one.
It alone implies sustainability, for any state that can be economically agile, able to adapt quickly and effectively to a fast-changing environment, is likely to outlast those that aren’t.
In the choice of the 27 priority areas, there is a good mix, reflecting both current and future concerns.
The plan aims to boost growth in high-growth high-value (HGHV) industries and high-impact strategic sectors, while not forgetting the need to ensure sustainability through strengthening and empowering the blue and green economies respectively.
This cannot be achieved without strengthening the research, development, commercialisation and innovation (R&D and C&I) ecosystem.
Holistic approaches have been identified to facilitate the transition towards greener and cleaner energy, including the possible use of nuclear energy.
There is also no doubt that these measures, particularly in relation to developing HGHV sectors and strengthening the R&D and C&I ecosystem, are responses to possible global disruption, brought about by ongoing dynamic geopolitical and geoeconomic developments.
The 13MP’s focus on strengthening Malaysia’s digital ecosystem as well as in AI, blockchain and robotics technology, must be viewed in this light.
We are in another industrial revolution, and as history has often taught us, those that can compete, if not lead, are likely to have a front row seat in the new world that emerges.
It is high time for Malaysia to be technology creators not just consumers.
To support this, at least in the context of AI, the government will develop an AI-driven ecosystem through the National AI Action Plan 2030. According to the plan, this will drive talent development, and R&D and C&I to accelerate the adoption of AI.
The plan also addresses many of the concerns facing Malaysians today, such as food security, public transport, quality of education, of healthcare, availability of housing, and employment.
This is not only the case of providing quality living for the present, but also for the future, especially as we shift towards an ageing society, and bringing with it, its own set of problems.
With 12 states now categorised as ageing, plans to introduce legislation to regulate Long Term Care services for, as well as establish a one-stop center to develop tech-based solutions for the elderly, will certainly be welcomed.
Staying true to the spirit of Malaysia MADANI, inclusiveness continues to be emphasised in the 13MP.
In attempting not only to address the socio-economic disparities that exist between its citizens, the government will also continue to ensure no region gets left behind.
With the proposed star rating system in place to promote and sustain women’s participation in the workforce, the empowerment of women takes a positive step forward.
Public sector reform continues to be the focus of the current administration. Among the measures identified to further achieve this goal is to accelerate the digitisation of services and work processes through AI adoption.
Keeping its commitments to reform project and fiscal reform, a new mechanism to manage development expenditure will be introduced under the plan.
13MP has received positive feedback from many quarters. It is now up to the government machinery to see to its implementation.
* The writer is Deputy Head, Centre of Economics and Public Finance, National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN). He can be reached at [email protected]
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