13MP Expected To Focus On Green Technology, Digital Transformation, Social Protection - Academicians

By Shaidatul Suhana Ros

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is expected to focus on green digital transformation, modernisation of high-tech industries and the empowerment of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of long-term strategies to build economic resilience and sustainable development.

An expert in Finance and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Professor Datuk Dr Nik Maheran Nik Muhammad said she anticipates the 13MP to be aligned with key policy documents such as the MADANI Economy framework, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030.

 "The 13MP will likely emphasise green technology, economic digitalisation, development of skilled human capital, rural community well-being and efforts to bridge socio-economic disparities between regions,”  she told Bernama today.

She added that infrastructure development will be a critical pillar, with expected initiatives including the expansion of green transport networks, renewable energy grids and high-speed internet in rural areas.

In the education sector, she foresees a continued focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital education and curriculum development for future-ready skills,

For the health sector, she predicts that emphasis will be placed on preventive healthcare, telemedicine and the digitisation of national health records to improve service delivery and access across the population.

"Security will be enhanced through digital transformation, including the use of drones and AI. In addition, it is timely for the government to consider introducing a people's insurance scheme, a form of microinsurance scheme for the B40 group, gig workers and micro entrepreneurs as part of a more inclusive social protection framework," she said.

Commenting on global challenges such as the 25 per cent tariff imposed by the United States on Malaysian products, she said the country could minimise the impact on the economy by strengthening innovation, automation and the production of value-added green products as well as expanding the market and upgrading local industries to ensure long-term economic resilience.

She said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should be assisted to transition to digitalisation, the green economy and automation to increase competitiveness at the regional and global levels.

The SMEs, she said,  were the backbone of the country's economy, contributing more than 97 per cent of all businesses and providing more than seven million job opportunities.

Meanwhile, a political analyst at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor  Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, said the 13MP should focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people through the empowerment of social policies and developmental justice.

"Priority must be given to addressing regional disparities, socio-economic and ethnic inequalities, as well as driving sustainability and digitalisation, including AI adoption," he said.

 Expecting the 13MP to be a bolder and more inclusive strategic plan in achieving the MADANI vision, he said the key guiding documents likely to shape the plan include the MADANI Economy: Empowering the People, NETR, NIMP 2030, Digitalisation and Technology Policy, and the 12MP Mid-Term Review.

"The 13MP is expected to highlight key indicators such as green economic growth, SME digitalisation, reducing regional inequality and strengthening human capital.

Building on the performance of the 13MP, he said the 13MP  is likely to focus on balanced development, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, digital transformation, green economy initiatives, education and TVET reform, food security, energy security and strengthening the public health system post-COVID-19.

In addressing the issue of economic inequality and the cost of living, he said the 13MP  will introduce a more comprehensive and holistic targeted approach, including subsidy reform, expansion of social protection schemes and increased economic mobility for vulnerable groups.

He said this is in line with the government's priority to ensure equitable and inclusive growth for the sake of social justice and political stability.

The 13MP is scheduled for tabling in Parliament on July 31.

-- BERNAMA