THE government is launching several stronger policies to face global challenges, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

He said the policies would include the National Industrial Plan, to be launched in August, the 12th Malaysia Plan Midterm Review at the end of September and the second Madani budget in October.

He said these policies were required to deal with global challenges such as power struggle and war; the global economic slowdown, as well as climate and environmental crisis.

“This big framework will serve as a platform for good, transparent and responsible governance,” he said in his congratulatory speech at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s birthday celebration today.

Besides economic recovery efforts, the prime minister said the unity government was also focusing on addressing the issue of the cost of living, increase in the price of goods and food security, which had become a worldwide problem.

The finance minister said several approaches such as the Rahmah Umbrella Concept and Raya Sales Carniva; and entrepreneurship programmes were carried out as part of efforts to help the people.

Malaysia, he said, would also continue to play a more active role in voicing its stance and preserving the country’s interests at international forums, particularly in issues of the country’s sovereignty, humanitarianism, security and disaster management.

“Your Majesty’s contribution in raising the country’s interests in the diplomatic and investment fields is greatly appreciated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said Malaysia’s GDP grew 5.6%, with investments totalling RM71.4 billion during the first quarter of this year, and attributed this to the cabinet’s, civil servants’ and private sector’s wise planning.

He said the Malaysia Madani Budget 2023 was unanimously passed at a parliamentary session last year.

“Hence, our determination to implement the three pillars and 12 main thrusts of the Madani budget, especially in food security, the digital economy, the role of small and medium enterprises and to eliminate hardcore poor,” he said.

He added that the government, in line with the concept of Developing Malaysia Madani, was committed to working hard to ensure the country’s growth, while upholding justice and noble human values. – Bernama, June 5, 2023.