Kuala lumpur: Malaysia stays the course on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) implementation to weather the economic challenges of 2026 amid rising global geopolitical uncertainties, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this year, geopolitical uncertainties pose challenges that must be taken into account, while most players are still assessing the impact of recent developments involving the United States and Venezuela, including their implications for the global economy. Akmal Nasrullah emphasized the importance of focusing on the execution of the five-year plan, the 13MP, to ensure economic stability.

Commenting on whether the Ministry of Economy and Petroliam Nasional Bhd would continue to monitor the situation in Venezuela, given its long-term impact, Akmal Nasrullah said that the geopolitical developments involving the instability in oil and natural resource prices are indeed being monitored. He reiterated the challenge posed by geopolitics in 2026 and the need for vigilance.

Akmal Nasrullah highlighted the ministry's focus on strengthening the country's economic foundations through the implementation of the government's long-term development plan. He stressed the importance of bolstering economic delivery via government plans such as the 13MP, as well as ensuring the implementation of other initiatives like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the National Energy Transition Roadmap.

Responding to a question about the priorities of small projects under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's agenda, Akmal Nasrullah clarified that the ministry evaluates projects based on targets and objectives rather than a mere list. He emphasized the significance of small-scale projects in ensuring the rakyat benefits significantly from them.

Referring to the recent flood disaster, Akmal Nasrullah pointed out the importance of small projects, including infrastructure repair work, which would require cooperation from several parties to avoid delays. He stressed the need for implementation and cooperation from multiple agencies to effectively address these challenges.