Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Covid-19 pandemic had forced the government to focus less on development projects, placing priority instead on overcoming the health crisis.

Ismail added that the 12th Malaysia Plan – which he described as a holistic one – would focus on nine main areas.

These included stimulating the economy and eradicating hardcore poverty as well as reducing the income gap.

Some of the development projects announced were:

• Phase one of the Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) project from Rawang to Salak Selatan, to be completed next year;
• the Gemas-Johor Baru electrified double-tracking project, to be completed by 2023;
• the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project, to be completed by 2026;
• the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project connecting Johor Bahru to Woodlands in Singapore, to be completed by end of this year;
• the West Coast Expressway (WCE), to be completed by 2024; and,
• the Central Spine Road from Bentong in Pahang to Kuala Krai in Kelantan, to be completed by 2025.

In tabling the 12MP, Ismail added that the government will take the whole-of-nation approach involving every government agency, industry, and community to overcome challenges faced during Covid-19 pandemic.

The move is also aimed at helping the nation achieve high-income status with improved quality of life for all.

In supporting economic growth, the government has planned a number of initiatives. These include:

• loans for research and development in electrical and electronics by the setting up of a centre of excellence for future industry;
• funds to support digitalisation and IR4.0 with RM28 billion set aside to improve 4G connectivity nationwide and another RM15 billion investment by the private sector; and,
• improving the gig economy through a proper eco-system.

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