
Rafizi to raise economic concerns in 13MP debate
The Pandan member of parliament said these concerns would be raised during his debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), scheduled for 3pm today.
"I will be taking part in the debate session on the 13MP in Parliament.
"Several key issues will be addressed, including the country's economic direction, the government's policy priorities and its direct impact on the lives of the people," he said in a statement via X today.
Previously, Rafizi had expressed his appreciation to the staff of the Economy Ministry for ensuring that the key reforms initiated during his tenure were retained in the 13MP, which was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday (July 31).
Rafizi had said that although he has not gone through the document in full, an initial reading of the executive summary shows that around 95 per cent of the reforms developed during his time in office have been preserved in the plan.
He added that many key economic initiatives launched during his tenure, including the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), KL20, the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the 'Made by Malaysia' branding, and the shift towards a consumption powerhouse economic model, remain part of the plan.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: ACWA Power investment to boost Malaysia's green energy drive
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed Saudi Arabian firm ACWA Power's decision to choose Malaysia as its main hub in Southeast Asia. Anwar, in a post on Facebook, said the global leader in renewable energy and green hydrogen is expected to collaborate with local partners to spearhead major energy projects. "This is another positive development resulting from the close Malaysia-Saudi Arabia cooperation, particularly following my meeting with the founder of ACWA Power during the Asean-GCC Summit (in May). "This investment recognises Malaysia's energy transition policy, creates high-skilled job opportunities, and drives technology transfer," he said. Anwar added that ACWA Power is now forging a strategic partnership with Tenaga Nasional Bhd, UEM Lestra and Terengganu Inc. to develop renewable energy, hydrogen and combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) projects, in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). This commitment, he said, further strengthens Malaysia's position as a key player in sustainable energy in the region and supports efforts towards a low-carbon economy.


Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Public Service Department to study proposal to raise civil service retirement age to 65
Shamsul Azri says an in-depth study of the proposal is indeed necessary before any decision can be made. – Bernama photo PUTRAJAYA (Aug 6): The Public Service Department (PSD) will conduct a study on the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 65. According to Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, an in-depth study of the proposal is indeed necessary before any decision can be made. 'There has been no study on the proposal so far. So, the PSD will conduct one first,' he told reporters after attending a lecture titled 'State Capacity and Directed Growth: A Mission-Oriented Approach' by renowned economist Prof Mariana Francesca Mazzucato, here today. On July 31, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in Parliament, announced that the retirement age policy would be reviewed in line with Malaysia's demographic shift toward an ageing nation. The initiative is part of the ninth strategic thrust of 13MP, which focuses on advancing social justice and equal opportunities for all citizens. Anwar previously stated that various factors, including financial implications and job market dynamics, must be considered before making a final decision on the matter. In May, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said proposed that the government consider increasing the retirement age, arguing that it was a loss to force capable individuals to retire at 60 when many remain active, productive, and able to contribute meaningfully to the workforce. Currently, the mandatory retirement age for civil servants in Malaysia is 60, which also serves as the minimum retirement age for private sector workers under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012. – Bernama KSN Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar mandatory retirement age proposal psd study


Focus Malaysia
7 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
13MP: Education that upholds human dignity
THE Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue (ACID) welcomes the assertion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is not a conventional government blueprint but a concerted endeavour to embody the people's aspirations and driven by the priority of upholding human dignity. He added that 'To realise this aspiration, the Government will build a social system that guarantees a decent and dignified life, not merely focused on access and material achievements, but one that reinforces the spiritual foundation, human values, and intellectual excellence of every citizen. The prime minister's desire to uphold human dignity seems to contradict the preoccupation of Malaysian major political parties and politicians on ethno-religious grievances and aspirations. On the other hand while the aspiration to uphold human dignity, reinforcing spiritual, human values and intellectual excellence is noble, the prime minister has not laid out in practical terms how such a vision will materialise in a society that is very much conscious of ethno-religious identity that tends to be sectarian and dominating. The younger generation are currently trapped by politics of ethnicity and religion of the major parties which does not reflect the broader dimension of human dignity. The respect for human dignity in essence has a broad dimension of solidarity and respect for the dignity and rights of those who are poor and marginalised irrespective of race and religion. No communities will feel marginalised in this context. Such an understanding begins when education is not reduced to a utilitarian, sectarian and materialistic concept. One has to progressively interpret the Rukun negara principle in the belief of God from the current static and conservative worldview that focuses on a particular religion to a broader world view of divine inclusivity that embraces all communities. It is a pity that major ethno-religious-centric parties like UMNO and PAS continue to use race religion as a political bait that projects the belief in God in the Rukun Negara among sectarian lines. In this regard it is vital that the Malaysian school and university education be transformed in reference to the belief in God in the Rukun Negara that empowers metaphysical education that embraces universal spiritual values that is embodied by major religions in the world. Philosophy, spiritual contemplation, peacemaking, human solidarity and ecological integration should be core subjects that reflect the belief in God. ACID believes that such an approach is the best way to reinforce the Malaysian spiritual foundation as stated by the prime minister. A right balance between metaphysical and utilitarian education is crucial for a harmonious society built on mercy, justice, peace and solidarity. Therefore it is hoped the current Malaysian government would transform our education in the spirit of Rukun Negara that respects human dignity. The belief in God cannot be separated from the importance of upholding human dignity. Upholding human dignity is about loving our fellow human being irrespective of race and religion. This would nurture the younger generation to be more conscious of others and instead of being trapped or caved in ethno-religious cocoons. Let's build an education system that upholds human dignity that transcends sectarianism. ‒ Aug 6, 2025 Ronald Benjamin is a human resources practitioner based in Ipoh. He is currently secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main pic credit: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim