NEW and innovative social protection solutions are urgently required to strike a balance between the provision of safety nets, promote financial resilience and human capital development, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said. 

He said more collaborative efforts by the public and private sectors were also vital to form strong synergies between social security organisations, stakeholders, and policymakers.

“Quick responses are required to uplift the community, promote rights, and bridge social protection gaps in the country, especially for informal economy workers, housewives, or unpaid family workers, such as caregivers,” he said at the launch of the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2021, held online, today. 

He also urged policymakers to recognise the role of social protection in social wellbeing and to craft effective policies that considerws the needs of the rakyat.

He said since the Covid-19 struck, the government quickly learnt that social protection systems, including social assistance, social insurance and labour market policies, can act as automatic stabilisers during a crisis, as well as essential safety nets for the poor and vulnerable citizens.

He said the 12th Malaysia Plan was focused on the rakyat’s welfare, social protection, and people-centred projects and aimed to rejuvenate Malaysia’s socio-economic development for long-term sustainability and prosperity and served as the foundation of improving the wellbeing of the people.

He said it would be another major stepping stone for Malaysia to move closer to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Agenda, which aimed to fulfil one of the national development priorities by adopting the whole-of-nation approach, with the principle of ‘leave no one behind’.

Ismail said this is further supported by the recently launched Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) concept, which is based on three main values – inclusivity, common ground, and contentment.

“As Keluarga Malaysia, everyone should work together to establish a stronger social support system towards greater resiliency, especially for the poor and vulnerable groups.

“If there is one solace we can take from this crisis, it is the nation’s ability to do things the Malaysian way. After all, a Malaysian crisis requires a Malaysian solution. The Malaysian solution in this context is the government’s commitment to strengthen and increase research activities under the Malaysia Social Protection Council (MySPC),” he said. 

Ismail said the council served as a centralised coordinating body to develop a comprehensive national social security approach which is based on lifecycle needs, encompasses effective and efficient policies, and backed by credible, broad-based, inclusive infrastructure and legal framework.

Meanwhile, he said the government has increased funding and incentives for numerous social protection programmes, including Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia and e-Kasih, in Budget 2021.

“We remain committed to eradicating poverty through greater collaboration within government agencies and statutory bodies. This will aid in unlocking income potential, increase household productivity, and create a more productive workforce,” he said. 

The prime minister said the unemployment rate during the first lockdown last year following the Covid-19 pandemic increased to 5.3%, the highest in 27 years since 1993.

“Thankfully, it has progressively receded to 4.6% in August 2021,” he said.

Ismai said based on the Economic Outlook 2022 Report published by the Finance Ministry, the unemployment rate is expected to return to 4% in 2022.

“Insya-Allah, the gradual normalisation of economic activities to pre-pandemic levels will help stimulate strong labour demand and fast track recovery in the labour market.” – Bernama, November 23, 2021.