Rafizi: Last-minute 13th Malaysia Plan overhaul raises concerns over rushed changes
PETALING JAYA: A government decision to 'restructure and reshape' the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is a hasty move that could undermine the credibility of the national development blueprint, says Rafizi Ramli.
The former economy minister questioned why such a major change is being considered so close to the final print deadline, warning that it may bypass expert input.
'Does this mean the overhaul will be done in haste because there is no time to refer back to IAPG, TWG and experts?
"Why is the issue of 'restructuring the 13MP draft' arising at the last minute when there were no such concerns raised throughout the time I and the Economy Ministry presented the contents of 13MP before this?' he asked in a statement Friday (June27).
The concerns came after Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that Finance Minister II Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has been tasked with reviewing and revamping the core framework of the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Rafizi said the statement 'to restructure and reshape' 13MP has triggered concern among civil servants, market analysts, and the public at large.
He said the 13MP, which outlines Malaysia's development agenda for the next five years, had been prepared entirely by civil servants in record time — under one year — without engaging external consultants.
He said the process began in September 2024 using a bottom-up approach that included the Inter-Agency Planning Group (IAPG), Technical Working Groups (TWG), and engagement sessions with state governments, industry and MPs.
At the same time, Rafizi said the Economy Ministry worked on 'bold and radical' policy proposals, which were presented to the Prime Minister between February and April this year, and twice to a special Cabinet committee.
'All the evidence of the presentations to the Prime Minister and Cabinet are on the Prime Minister's Facebook page, which frequently reported discussions about 13MP with the Economy Ministry,' he said.
Rafizi cautioned that the last-minute directive could undermine the plan's credibility and questioned whether the government was reacting to social media pressure.
He noted that recent comments by internet users had criticised Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and some responses appeared to dismiss Rafizi's role in the plan's development.
'I worry that the government is taking a reactionary attitude just because there were a few replies to the Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, regarding 13MP over the past few days,' he said.
He stressed that 13MP was a crucial national document, built through contributions from thousands of Malaysians. If politicised, he warned, it could erode public trust in the final version.
'13MP is an important document for the country and the people, developed by thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life. If we are not careful, dragging 13MP into political polemics will erode public confidence in the final document,' he said.
Rafizi added that such a situation would be a disservice to the civil servants who had worked relentlessly for over a year to complete the plan.
'If this happens, it would be a great injustice to those who have worked tirelessly for over a year, clocking long hours every day,' he said.
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