KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that allocations given to any community should not be polemic as all development initiatives under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) are implemented fairly and equitably.
Tabling the 13MP motion at the Dewan Negara on Monday (Aug 25), Anwar said the Madani government remains committed to ensuring that all groups, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak, Orang Asli, women, Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and youth, receive benefits according to their needs.
"I am very unhappy with such polemics because they create the impression that Malays are comfortable... The same applies to the Indian or Chinese communities.
"So don't argue when one community appears to receive more benefits. Allocations are based on needs, not race. If you want to request facilities for the Indian community, please do so. Malays are the majority in this country, and the majority of the poor are also Malays. That is why we must focus accordingly," he said.
As an example, he cited the allocation of the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) and the Rahmah Basic Contribution (Sara), which are distributed inclusively, with almost 57% of the recipients being Malays, while 7.57% are Sabah Bumiputera and 6.23% are Sarawak Bumiputera.
At the same time, he said the Indian community has received assistance through various channels, including STR and Sara, amounting to RM972mil, as well as RM2.5bil in housing.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, outlined nine key initiatives under 13MP, which include social empowerment based on the Madani concept, addressing the cost of living, equitable economic distribution, education recovery, and affordable housing for the people.
Other initiatives cover regional and rural development, strengthening the competitiveness of high-growth and high-value (HGHV) industries, adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and ensuring government services are transparent, agile, and efficient.
Anwar also stressed that the implementation of 13MP would be continuously monitored to ensure every project and initiative delivers real impact to the people.
He emphasised that the 13MP should not remain merely as a planning document, but must serve as an actionable plan that is implemented effectively and transparently.
Anwar said this was evident from the 1,177 dilapidated schools that had been successfully upgraded as of June, the highest achievement recorded within a short period, alongside a significant increase in the construction of new schools, which rose to 102 in the past two to three years compared to an average of only 20 to 40 schools previously.
He added that 13MP is a continuation of MP12 and the Madani economic framework, aimed at transforming the country's economic structure towards holistic value creation, while placing strong emphasis on addressing the people's cost of living.
This commitment, he explained, was reflected in the government's move to raise the minimum wage from RM1,200 to RM1,500 and now RM1,700, in addition to introducing progressive wages for private sector employees and the Public Service Remuneration Scheme (SSPA).
These measures, he said, involve an additional expenditure of RM10bil this year and RM18bil next year.
"For the first time in history, government-linked companies (GLCs) have set a minimum wage of RM3,100. This is an example we hope private companies, especially those recording high profits, will follow," he said.
Anwar also stressed that preschool to secondary level education will continue to be strengthened to ensure no Malaysian child is left behind, particularly in the mastery of STEM and digital literacy.
"The government has also introduced the Sejati Madani Programme, which allows local communities to determine their own development projects. This is a new approach that empowers the people to decide whether to purchase equipment, raise livestock, or implement other community-based initiatives," he said.
Touching on heritage preservation, Anwar said it will remain a priority under 13MP (2026-2030) in line with the aspiration of Reshaping Madani's Development and Economy.
Among the flagship projects is the restoration of historical landmarks such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Merdeka Square, and the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.
"This project not only preserves national landmarks but also restores the true meaning of the heritage of the Malay and Islamic Sultanates. A total of RM1bil has been allocated through Khazanah for these efforts," he said.
According to him, 13MP is not merely an economic development plan but a comprehensive framework to ensure prosperity, strengthen national unity, and improve the people's quality of life.
In this regard, Anwar called on the Senate to approve the 13MP for the 2026-2030 period, themed "Reshaping Development", which focuses on strategies to "raise the ceiling" (expand economic growth potential) and "raise the floor" (uplift the people's well-being). - Bernama
