Rafizi: Is 13MP revision knee-jerk response to tweets bashing Fahmi?
Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has questioned whether the government's move to revise the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is a hasty reaction to social media criticism directed at Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
This follows Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar's announcement earlier today that Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan has been tasked with 'reviewing and revamping' the 13MP while carrying out the duties and functions of the economy minister with immediate effect.
'I am concerned that the government is taking a...
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
13MP review crucial to avoid policy pitfalls, say economists
KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah's main duty of finalising the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will improve policy coordination between the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry, say economists. Economist Professor Geoffrey Williams said it is essential for the 13MP to be a robust framework and, as such, it should undergo a comprehensive final review. He said that increased external and independent scrutiny of the process would enhance the quality of the final document. "Although there are no details on the exact content, it is important that each proposal is evaluated by independent experts to ensure there are no unintended consequences or obvious issues that need to be addressed. "There is only a short time for the final review, but it is worth undertaking this exercise to avoid the risk of presenting a document that may attract criticism from the outset," he said. He said the move would improve policy coordination between the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry, and also help in understanding the long-term financial implications and funding strategies. Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas announced that Amir Hamzah would assume the duties and functions of the Economy Minister with immediate effect. He said Amir Hamzah's primary responsibility is to revise and reformulate the contents of the 13MP document, which will be tabled in parliament on July 31. The portfolio became vacant after Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli resigned from the post on May 28, following his defeat in the PKR central leadership election, where he failed to retain the party's deputy president post. However, Rafizi, in a statement, expressed concern over the move to revise and reformulate the document, warning that a last-minute decision could undermine public confidence in the national policy document. Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the review could improve policy coordination, as there would be greater connectivity between the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry. "I'm sure the 13MP will reflect budget constraints and aim for a higher multiplier effect on growth, while at the same time remaining disciplined in managing government finances," he said. He said Amir Hamzah, as a technocrat, would take a pragmatic approach to reviewing the document. "In addition, the plans are being prepared by government machinery that is highly competent, so I suppose the changes would take into consideration the country's long-term growth interests," he said.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Why last-minute revamp of 13th Malaysia Plan, Rafizi asks govt
Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli said the 13th Malaysia Plan is an important document for the nation. PETALING JAYA : Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has questioned the government's decision to revamp the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), slated to be tabled in Parliament at the end of July. Rafizi said the last-minute overhaul of the next five-year development plan would raise concerns among the civil servants who prepared the 13MP, market analysts, and Malaysians as a whole. The PKR MP for Pandan also asked whether the changes would be rushed since there would be insufficient time to refer the plan to the inter-agency planning group, the technical working group, and experts who formulated the initial 13MP. 'Why is this overhaul of the 13MP arising now when there was no such issue raised when the economy ministry and I tabled the contents of the 13MP previously? 'The 13MP is an important document for the nation and Malaysians, developed by thousands of Malaysians from various segments of society. If we're not careful, the 13MP will be dragged into political polemics which would end up affecting the people's confidence in the final document. 'If this happens, it would be a great injustice to those who worked hard on the 13MP over the past year,' he said in a statement. Earlier today, the government announced that finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan has taken on the duties and functions of the economy portfolio, and given the duty of overhauling the 13MP. Amir said he had received 'a lot of feedback' from his Cabinet colleagues on the plan, which necessitated an overhaul of the document. Rafizi said the preparation of the 13MP started in September 2024 when feedback was obtained from all stakeholders, first through the inter agency planning group which involved every government ministry and agency. Then, he said, there was a technical working group comprising policy experts in specific areas, from health, fiscal and education reforms to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. He said there were also numerous engagements between the economy ministry and state governments, industry players, and MPs from September to December 2024. 'At the same time, there was a 'top down' process, namely the development of key policies that were bold and radical, running concurrently involving the economy ministry and experts. 'These policies, categorised according to the various fields, were identified as key catalysts for structural reforms in those areas. These bold and radical policies that were proposed may not have been acceptable to the relevant ministries. 'That's why I tabled them to the prime minister multiple times beforehand between February to April, and tabled it twice to the Cabinet to achieve a compromise and consensus,' he said. Rafizi said there was a tight schedule to prepare and table the 13MP compared with previous Malaysia plans. He also said the 13MP was fully developed by civil servants without the involvement of external consultants.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Amir given economy minister's duties, to overhaul 13th Malaysia Plan
Senator Amir Hamzah Azizan was appointed as finance minister II in December 2023. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Cabinet has agreed for finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan to take on the duties and functions of the economy portfolio, effective immediately. In a statement, chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said this was decided by the Cabinet on Wednesday. 'His main duty will be to amend and overhaul the contents of the 13th Malaysia Plan, which will be tabled in Parliament on July 31, with additional information submitted by the ministries as well as the views and comments given by the Cabinet,' he said. Amir, a senator, was appointed as finance minister II in December 2023. The economy minister's post became vacant with the resignation of Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, who stepped down after losing his post as PKR deputy president. Rafizi said he had completed the 13th Malaysia Plan before his resignation, describing it as his final responsibility as economy minister. He said the document was drafted to place greater emphasis on comprehensive reforms, including several involving the education ministry. Following his resignation, the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) urged Putrajaya to ensure continuity in economic policies and commitment to long-term reforms. Samenta chairman William Ng said the 13th Malaysia Plan in particular must not be seen as the vision of a single minister but a national blueprint born out of broad consultations and urgent necessity. Ng also warned that Malaysia risked missing out on yet another economic cycle if key reforms outlined in the plan were not retained and fully implemented. In a separate statement, Amir thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for entrusting him with the responsibility of the economy ministry's duties in the interim. He said he had received 'a lot of feedback' from his Cabinet colleagues on the 13th Malaysia Plan which necessitated an overhaul of the document. 'This is to best showcase the policies that the Madani government is prioritising while continuing the momentum of our economic reform agenda,' he said.
