PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will table the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in the Dewan Rakyat at 11.30am on Monday.

Ismail is scheduled to table the country’s five-year (2021-2025) development roadmap after the question-and-answer session.

The tabling of the 12MP was postponed at least twice from the original date on August 6 last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic as well as change in the country’s political landscape and leadership.

In line with the Malaysian Family theme, the 12MP is expected to prioritise the people’s welfare, social protection and people-centred projects.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed said the Covid-19 pandemic that lasted since early last year had changed the pattern of government spending in shaping the future of the country, which was now more focused on post-pandemic developments for the next five years.

Although new mega-projects were no longer a priority, Mustapa said the government would focus on ongoing projects such as the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS).

He said new projects such as ports and airports that could help boost the country’s economy would definitely be planned by the government in the annual budget once the country’s economy recovers, which is expected in 2023.

Like any other Malaysia Plans since its introduction in 1966, the government will be focusing on bridging the development gap between states with more national expenditure to be distributed to develop less developed states.

Meanwhile, according to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) official portal of the Prime Minister’s Department, the 12MP is the last part of the National Recovery Plan under the 6R approach (resolve, resilient, restart, recovery, revitalise and reform) that will build a solid foundation in shaping Malaysia to become a high-tech and high-income country with equitable prosperity for the people.

The Parliament calendar indicates that the 12MP debate session will last from September 28 to October 4, before the winding up by ministers. – Bernama, September 25, 2021.