The former economy minister said for many politicians and to a certain extent, the public, the 13MP was a catalogue of infrastructure and development projects.

However, he pointed out, the 13MP was not a “list of projects”, but a policy document that outlines what needs to be done over the next five years.

“The change in approach taken by the government (in terms of the content of the plan) led to some feeling that there was nothing much,” Rafizi said in the latest episode of his podcast, “Yang Berhenti Menteri”.

“(This is because) in the past the document was tabled as a list of projects to be implemented.”

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal last month said the plan lacked the “wow factor” and said it felt largely like a continuation of previous policies.

The Bersatu Supreme Council member also described the 13MP as “business as usual”, with no clear game-changing initiatives.

Similarly, last week, former DAP assemblyman P Ramasamy said there was nothing extraordinary about it and that it mirrors the five-year plans introduced in the past.

Rafizi also defended a proposal in the 13MP to make preschool compulsory at age five, start Year 1 at age six, and finish Form Five by age 16.

The Pandan MP said such an approach meant that young people can join the workforce at 16, or complete their degree a year earlier.

Rafizi was previously reported to have said that such a shift was necessary as Malaysia transitions into an ageing nation, which required a younger workforce.