The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), presented in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is expected to reshape the nation’s economic and development landscape, prioritising inclusivity, sustainability, and responsible growth.
In Penang, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted the plan’s emphasis on digitalisation, advanced technology, and the development of a values-based MADANI social system, all of which align with the state’s Penang 2030 vision, initiated in 2018. “As the ‘Silicon Valley of the East’, Penang appreciates the high-value projects listed, which promise strong investment returns. This proves that the state remains a significant contributor to national investment. It also supports the national ambition to remain a leading player in the high-value semiconductor industry,” he stated.
Chow further noted that infrastructure projects such as the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) and upgrades to the PLUS Highway from Juru to Sungai Dua would improve existing facilities and enhance regional connectivity. Regarding the planned expansion of Penang International Airport (PIA), he commented that it would improve the user experience, expressing hope it would be completed as scheduled to further boost inter-regional links.
In Selangor, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari described the 13MP as a comprehensive plan that complements current state initiatives and uplifts local communities. He identified the development of Carey Port in Kuala Langat as a significant highlight and conveyed the state’s willingness to cooperate with the Federal Government to expedite the project, aimed at relieving congestion at Port Klang.
Amirudin praised the intention to introduce 300 Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) vans, 1,200 buses, and 217 train sets to expand public transport access, particularly for the Klang Valley population. He commended recognition of waste-to-energy (WTE) technology and the government’s commitment to create 1.2 million new jobs in manufacturing and the digital economy, noting the benefits for graduates in the state.
In Pahang, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail welcomed the establishment of the National Food Production Hub as a vital and timely move, particularly for the East Coast region. “We thank the Federal Government, as the East Coast needs such a development hub. At the state level, we’ve already planned a Halal Hub, and implementation is underway. We have identified and prepared the site to ensure the Halal Hub in the state becomes a reality,” he stated, stressing that federal support would be crucial for success.
In Negeri Sembilan, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun expressed appreciation for the government’s prioritisation of building and upgrading public hospitals, including Tuanku Jaafar Hospital 2, citing this as evidence of its commitment to public well-being. He also welcomed the inclusion of the Sungai Gemencheh Flood Mitigation Project in Tampin, which is expected to substantially lower flood risks and protect local communities.
In Perak, State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee commented that the planned third regasification terminal in Lumut would reinforce national energy security and further establish Lumut as a regional energy hub. He said the project is expected to draw high-quality investments in clean and sustainable energy sectors, bolster industrial growth, and create jobs locally.
Additionally, Loh noted that the creation of Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) and the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP) would expand industrial development to coastal zones such as Manjung and Kerian.
Meanwhile, in Sabah, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup welcomed the dedicated focus on Sabah, pointing to development at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, upgrades to biodiesel blending depots in Sandakan and Lahad Datu, and key infrastructure projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway. Kurup, also Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, stated that the five-year plan provides new prospects for Sabahans by bridging development disparities and unlocking economic potential, particularly in agriculture, which is pivotal for rural communities.
He underlined the significance of involving rural youth through TVET programmes and TVET MADANI financing schemes, which are expected to foster a new generation of skilled agropreneurs, supporting the government’s employment creation target of 1.2 million new jobs by 2030.
