12MP review: No one is left out, says DPM

KUALA LUMPUR: No target group has been left out of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) mid-term review, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the review looked at all sectors.

*I went through all the details mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and saw a focus on all sectors. Not one target group was left out.

"Hopefully, the allocations can reach all intended groups. More importantly, however, is the effectiveness of these reviews and implementations.

"It also requires an efficient public service as well as efforts to improve monitoring.

"We only have two years left to see it reaches the people effectively," Ahmad Zahid said at a press conference in Parliament on Monday (Sept 11).

Equally important, he said, was for the plan to achieve spiritual happiness.

"There have been many budgets presented since Malaysia achieved independence and this is currently the 12th Malaysia Plan. Many achieved physical happiness but less on the spiritual side.

"We hope a balance is achieved by all Malaysians," he said.

Ahmad Zahid also said allocations were well-balanced between urban, outskirt and rural areas, including in Sabah and Sarawak.

"The Prime Minister also placed emphasis on creating a balance between developed and soon-to-be developed areas and done as soon as possible," he said.

On technical and vocational education training (TVET), Ahmad Zahid said the Prime Minister also suggested for an agreement between TVET institutions and industry players to ensure TVET graduates can directly be employed, alongside courses tailored to industry demands.

"TVET for entrepreneurs, especially technopreneurs, should also be emphasised," he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman also highlighted the Jelita initiative, which is specifically for women.

"This is under the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Association (Risda), with 15,000 individuals in the current intake.

"There are plans to increase the intake to 150,000 individuals over the next five years," he said, adding that there were currently 1,334 TVET institutions under government ministries, agencies as well as the private sector.

On a Facebook post, Ahmad Zahid who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the government was constantly working to reduce the income gap between rural and urban areas.

"These efforts will continue by providing infrastructure, fulfilling rural economies' potential and strengthening service delivery to ensure the well-being of the people in rural and interior areas are improved.

On disaster management, Ahmad Zahid said the government continuously monitors the effectiveness of early warning systems for tsunamis, floods and landslides through the formation of the National Geology Disaster Centre.

Parliament is scheduled to sit for six days from Sept 11 to table the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan and subsequently debate it.