THE tabling of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in the Dewan Rakyat, scheduled for August 6, has been postponed to January next year, said chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali.

In a letter sighted by The Malaysian Insight, Zuki told government agency heads the decision to postpone the tabling of the 12MP was made by the cabinet on May 6.

“According to the initial plan, the 12MP document was expected to be presented in Parliament on August 6, 2020.

“However, due to the current uncertain situation following the Covid-19 pandemic, the cabinet decided to postpone the presentation of the 12thMP to early January 2021,” Zuki said.

One of the reasons cited was the formation of a new cabinet and restructuring of ministries, which took place in March.

Zuki explained that this is to provide ministries and agencies time to review the policies and strategies under 12MP to ensure that it is in line with the aspirations, policies and the new offerings of the Perikatan Nasional government.

Other reasons include the proposed solutions to be taken in the post-Covid-19 recovery plan and the projection of the economic performance in the next five years based on the current economic conditions.

The need to take into account the current and projected financial position for 2021-2025 was cited as the fourth reason why the tabling was postponed.

“The financial position will have to be reviewed after taking into account the new challenges arising post-Covid-19.

“In addition to that, the Finance Ministry will continue to monitor the development of oil prices and will recalibrate spending to balance the decline in revenue.”

Zuki said the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department will engage with all stakeholders from June to July 2020. This will include the inter-agency planning group meeting.

Zuki also urged ministries, departments, agencies, federal statutory bodies, state governments and local authorities to provide full co-operation in executing the plan. – May 30, 2020.