12MP: Programme to enhance infrastructure, income to be more focused in six states

KUALA LUMPUR - The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) will continue to focus on the implementation of programmes to increase income and ensure the wellbeing of the people, said the Economy Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Datuk Zunika Mohamed.

However, she said the emphasis on the implementation of the initiative will be given to six less developed states, namely Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak. Focus will be given to the states on ensuring the improvement of facilities in terms of infrastructure, such as roads, better connectivity including water supply, electricity and other facilities such as health, housing and so on.

"For states that don't belong to this group, it doesn't mean that the government doesn't focus on them.

"Perhaps not (focused) in terms of large infrastructure projects but (we will be) more focused on programmes to increase income, ensure the wellbeing of the population and we want to see that marginalised communities in developing states are also defended," she told Bernama TV on a programme titled 'Malaysian Economy: Dive into People's Hope'.

Among the initiatives implemented by the Economy Ministry led by its minister Rafizi Ramli are the People's Income Initiative (IPR) for the Food Entrepreneur Initiative (Insan) and Agricultural Entrepreneur Initiative (Intan).

The IPR, which includes three models, namely Insan, Intan and the Service Operator Initiative (Ikhsan), was launched on Feb 26, 2023 in an effort to increase people's income due to the increase in the cost of living.

Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah Datuk Ramzah Dambul said the state deserves to be emphasized in the 12MP as it lags behind in terms of education and other basic facilities.

"Although the state may be said to be lagging behind as referred to by the World Bank as a 'lagging state' (a state lagging behind in terms of growth and income), at least Perlis and Kedah can have access to the growth in Penang. Kelantan and Terengganu are not too far from the Klang Valley

"But Sabah and Sarawak are nowhere near (the location of economic growth) and (people) have to cross the South China Sea (to get there)," he said. - BERNAMA