Kuala lumpur: The year 2026 will mark the start of the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), focusing on translating policies into concrete actions to ensure the people receive the benefits, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Akmal Nasrullah emphasized that this aligns with the MADANI government's commitment to implementing strategies under the 13MP in an organized, transparent, and high-impact manner. He highlighted that the 13MP is a national endeavor requiring participation from all sectors, including ministries and government machinery.
The Minister stated that the implementation should serve as a shared key performance indicator (KPI) across various levels of government, including secretaries-general, deputies, heads of departments, and even himself and the Deputy Minister, Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah. He expressed hope for significant changes this year to reshape development in accordance with the 13MP framework.
Akmal Nasrullah pointed out that the 13MP implementation phase will chart the country's economic course amid a challenging global landscape, while also aiming to overcome the middle-income trap by fostering a more competitive and knowledge-based economy.
He outlined three core principles for the Ministry of Economy's policy implementation: integrity-driven correct execution, sound judgment, and value creation. He stressed the importance of adhering to procedures and governance to ensure that implementation benefits the people.
The Minister emphasized that policies should be grounded in reality rather than being mere 'fantasies,' and highlighted the necessity of cultivating an organizational culture focused on comprehensive value creation for mutual benefit.
Akmal Nasrullah also mentioned the importance of coordination, monitoring, and transparent progress reporting to ensure the effective implementation of the 13MP. He noted that the plan's progress would be tracked through the five-year Malaysia plan monitoring framework and the digitalized MyRMK System.
Reflecting on Malaysia's economic performance, he noted the country's encouraging growth in 2025, with GDP rising by 5.2% in the third quarter and an average growth of 4.7% over the first nine months. He attributed this to a current account surplus, low inflation, and a stable unemployment rate.
The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining strong economic growth, projecting a real GDP growth of 4.0% to 4.5% for 2026. He underscored the focus on attracting investments, with the Economic Corridor Authority realizing RM64.7 billion in investments in 2025, generating over 14,000 new job opportunities.
Preparations for the 2026 Malaysia Economic Forum (FEM), themed 'Accelerating Growth, Advancing Malaysia,' set to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, are progressing well. The Ministry is also planning several initiatives, including the KL20 Conference, National Ageing Blueprint, Junior Innovathon, and development plans like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Master Plan.