KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has adopted a more holistic approach to development by focusing on human values and social well-being alongside material and physical progress, says Dr Khairil Izamin Ahmad.
The director of the All-Party Parliamentary Group of Malaysia on Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG), said that the 13MP document offers a broader and more inclusive definition of development, moving beyond mere numbers and statistics.
“One key aspect of the 13MP is that the concept and focus of development extend beyond material and physical aspects,” he said while appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s programme “Ruang Bicara RMK13: Harapan Dan Agenda Socioekonomi Rakyat” on Monday (Aug 4).
He added that the plan’s commitment to criminal justice reform includes reassessing the country’s approach to addressing drug abuse, among other issues.
Apart from that, he said the 13MP strikes a balance between advancing high-profile sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data technology, and addressing the economic realities faced by the general population.
He emphasised that this balanced approach is crucial, as national development should not be limited to the high-tech sector alone but must also reflect the everyday needs and challenges faced by people at the grassroots level.
“In the 13MP development framework, the people’s economic aspects are given focus. This is important to ensure the resilience of the community, not only in the more sophisticated economic sectors but also in the levels of economic activity that are more common and familiar to daily life,” he said.
The 13MP, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat on July 31, outlines the national development agenda for the period 2026-2030, with a total allocation of RM611bil. – Bernama
