13MP Focuses On Uplifting Quality Of Life Through Inclusive Social Development

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The MADANI Government continues to prioritise inclusive and responsive social development in efforts to uplift the quality of life for the people under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

According to the document released by the Ministry of Economy today, efforts will be intensified through four key measures: tackling the cost-of-living burden, reengineering the social system based on Insan MADANI, improving quality of life and empowering target groups to achieve a decent standard of living.

“The floor-raising strategies and initiatives outlined in 13MP are expected to sustain full employment levels and increase the contribution of employee compensation to the Gross Domestic Product by 40 per cent in 2030.

“…the strategies and initiatives can also contribute to Malaysia achieving the 25th position in the Human Development Index and a 60 per cent women's participation in the labour force after a decade of the introduction of the MADANI Economy framework,” read the document.

In addressing the living cost burden, the government is focusing on the issue of rising food prices and will take a comprehensive approach to tackle it by upgrading infrastructure, strengthening the food supply chain and retail sector and providing platforms to enhance price transparency.

“Enforcement efforts will also be amplified, while relevant laws will be reviewed to curb price manipulation activities.

“…initiatives to offer goods and services, particularly food products at affordable prices, such as the MADANI Rahmah Sale programme, will be expanded to include more suitable localities, especially in rural areas,” the document added.

Through the Rakan KKM initiative, the government will enhance healthcare services, allowing private companies to obtain paid services at public healthcare facilities, according to the document, adding that health insurance and takaful products will be introduced to allow the public to access services at affordable rates.

It also noted that more quality affordable housing will also be provided for low- and middle-income groups in urban areas through the Residensi MADANI and Residensi Rakyat programmes, in addition to the expansion of the rent-to-own scheme.

“A comprehensive wage adjustment will be implemented, including periodic reviews of the minimum wage, the setting of entry-level salaries for graduates, including those from the Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) institutions, and the full implementation of the progressive wage policy.

“The private sector will also be encouraged to offer a reasonable minimum wage to ensure workers receive salaries that are commensurate with the living costs,” according to the document.

It also stated that in reengineering the social system based on Insan MADANI, the government will focus on education reform, including making preschool education mandatory at the age of five and beginning primary education at the age of six.

“Besides that, English will be part of the medium of instruction and communication for lower primary pupils, and the teaching of additional languages will be expanded to primary schools,” the document added.

The people’s quality of life will be improved through efforts to strengthen food security, reforms in housing, health and labour, safeguard environmental health, enhance security and defence and prepare the nation for its transition into an ageing society.

Meanwhile, it said that the implementation of the Bumiputera empowerment agenda will be further accelerated through a whole-of-nation approach aimed at increasing Bumiputera participation, ownership and control, as part of efforts to uplift targeted groups.

According to the document, to achieve this goal, Bumiputera empowerment units across all ministries will be bolstered, while capacity-building programmes and financial support provided by Bumiputera-mandated agencies, state economic development corporations, and regional development authorities will be enhanced.

“The standard of living for the Orang Asli community will also be improved through the introduction of the Orang Asli Development Policy Action Plan and amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134). Besides that, a Customs Board will be established to enhance leadership effectiveness within the Orang Asli community.

“The socio-economic development of the Sabahans and the Bumiputera communities in Sarawak will continue to be strengthened through initiatives such as human capital empowerment, improvement of infrastructure and basic amenities, and support to facilitate the development of Native Customary Rights land,” it said.

-- BERNAMA