
Malaysia targets 4-5% GDP growth under 13MP, says MBSB Research
Key drivers include infrastructure development, domestic consumption, and strategic initiatives like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will table the 13MP later today. MBSB Research highlighted private consumption, which contributes over 60 per cent of GDP, as a major growth engine, supported by rising employment and incomes.
Development expenditure is projected at RM80 billion annually, accounting for 3.3 per cent of GDP, ensuring steady project flow for construction firms.
'This spending level is crucial to sustain infrastructure projects without excessive fiscal tightening,' the bank noted.
Key infrastructure projects under the 13MP include MRT3, Penang LRT, East Coast Rail Link, Pan Borneo Highway, and airport expansions.
Sabah and Sarawak are set to receive significant funding for roads, water supply, and health facilities.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will play a vital role, with projects like the West Ipoh Span Expressway and Putrajaya-Bangi Expressway boosting private sector involvement.
The 13MP also addresses structural reforms in public services, education, and labour markets, aiming for 35 per cent skilled employment by 2030.
MBSB Research forecasts corporate earnings to grow at 5.0 per cent annually, potentially lifting the FBM KLCI to between 1,810 and 2,510 points by 2030. - Bernama
Hashtags

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


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Local councils owe SWCorp RM493mil in fees
KUALA LUMPUR: Local councils have yet to pay RM493 million owed to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) for rubbish collection and street cleaning services already carried out. Ipoh Timur member of parliament Howard Lee said the arrears have built up over the years and are now affecting SWCorp's ability to pay its contractors. He told the Dewan Rakyat that the debts stem from a 2011 agreement, under which the federal government took over domestic waste management in several states. Under the deal, local councils were required to make annual payments into a federal fund managed by SWCorp. "Rubbish has been picked up, the streets cleaned, but the money never came," he said during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan. States currently under the national waste management system include Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis. Lee, who sits on SWCorp's board, urged the federal government to compel councils to raise their monthly repayments and begin clearing their debts. For councils unable to afford repayments, he proposed intervention by their respective state governments. He also suggested options such as soft loans, asset sales, or making full repayment part of their 2026 budgets. Lee said the federal government had already stepped in this year with RM8 million in grants to assist eight local councils with repayments. To ensure accountability, he called on the Housing and Local Government Ministry to impose penalties on councils that continue to default.


Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
LLRC slams Guan Eng over remarks on migrant worker wages, EPF
Lo says the comments could encourage employers to offer lower wages to foreign workers, potentially undermining the local job market. KUCHING (Aug 7): The Labour Law Reform Coalition (LLRC) has voiced concern over remarks by former finance minister Lim Guan Eng, who suggested Malaysia need not mandate minimum wage or Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for migrant workers. LLRC deputy president Andrew Lo said the comments could encourage employers to offer lower wages to foreign workers, potentially undermining the local job market. 'Such a statement is a betrayal of Malaysian workers. It seems that he (Lim) has no inkling of labour economics and continues to support employers' addiction to cheap labour and low wages,' he said in a statement today. Lo also pointed out that allowing exemptions from EPF contributions would widen wage disparities and risk suppressing local salaries further. Citing Malaysia's ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 100 on equal pay, Lo argued that Lim's suggestion disregards international labour standards. Lim, who is Bagan MP, made the comments during a recent parliamentary debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan. According to MalaysiaKini, Lim argued that Malaysia is not legally obligated to enforce such measures for migrant workers already employed, and cited Singapore's policy of excluding Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions since 2003. Lo, however, dismissed the comparison, saying Singapore has no minimum wage framework, making it an inappropriate benchmark. Andrew Lo epf Lim Guan Eng migrant workers


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
CAP wants SST imposed on cigarettes in 2026 Budget
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has called for the 2026 Budget to include a sales and service tax on cigarettes. CAP senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow said it was high time for this as cigarettes have been exempt from sales taxes for eight years. "The last SST was imposed in 2018 on tobacco products. After that, there was no tax on cigarettes for eight years, which is a big disappointment. "Smokers spend about RM500 every month. Even healthy food does not cost that much. "As such, we expect a mandatory sales tax on cigarettes in the 2026 Budget if the government wants to reduce the current number of five million smokers," he told the New Straits Times. Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, said the government was considering a proposal to raise the tobacco tax to between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of retail prices. He said the proposal was consistent with the government's health reforms. Last week, Anwar had said the government would expand its pro-health tax framework to include tobacco, vape products, and alcohol, beyond just sugary drinks, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Subbarow said evidence from countries across all income levels showed that raising cigarette prices was very effective in reducing demand. "Higher taxes encourage some smokers to quit and deter others from starting. They also reduce the number of ex-smokers who return to cigarettes and reduce consumption among continuing smokers. "Given that this fact has been confirmed in other countries, CAP hopes our prime minister will announce a sales tax on cigarettes," he added.