THE EDEGE MARKETS. 27TH SEPTEMBER: In the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), priority will be given to improve national security and safeguard sovereignty in ensuring the nation remains peaceful and prosperous. Meanwhile, healthcare service delivery, provision of quality and liveable affordable houses will be improved.
According to the 12MP (2021-2025) report tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday, sports will be leveraged to build an active nation, while unity among the people will be enhanced. This is in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and 2030 Agenda Pembangunan Mampan.
The report noted that under the 11MP, 10 targets were set to enhance national defence and security as well as well-being and unity of the people. However, only five targets were achieved, namely index crime cases, the perception of being safe, the number of houses constructed or repaired for poor households, the percentage of Malaysians embracing the sports culture and the number of schools with Kelab Rukun Negara.
The targeted police response time was not achieved due to a lack of technology adoption, a shortage of manpower and logistics issues. The performance of the healthcare service delivery was also below the target as reflected by the low performance of the health component of the Malaysian Well-Being Index due to an increase in the infant mortality rate, the maternal mortality rate and rising incidence of non-communicable diseases.
The targets for the doctor-to-population and hospital bed-to-population ratios remained unmet. In addition, the target to build houses for low- and middle-income households was not achieved due to a low take-up rate by property developers, limited suitable land and bureaucracy in the development plan approval process.
Ensuring national security and safeguard sovereignty
In the 12MP, various efforts will be undertaken to safeguard national sovereignty from illegal immigrants and unlawful activities at the borders as well as enhancing defence capacity and capability.
A holistic plan will be developed to manage illegal immigrants, which will cover strategies to improve policy enforcement operations, border control, management of immigrants as well as media reporting and publicity. The plan will include improvement of the enforcement system in dealing with immigrants who enter the country legally but continue working after the expiry of their work permit.
Border control will also be improved through joint operations and border patrolling and in maritime domains involving the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and enforcement agencies to prevent any unauthorised entry. The number of security posts located along the international borders will be increased, especially Sabah and Sarawak. At the same time, maritime control will be tightened to combat illegal activities, such as sea piracy, smuggling and encroachment by foreign vessels.
Among others, a national action plan for preventing and countering violent extremism will be developed as a guide in ensuring rapid response against terrorism and extremism threats. Networking and information sharing with relevant domestic and foreign agencies as well as telecommunications companies will be strengthened in countering terrorist movements.
Enhancing healthcare service delivery
More focus will be given to enhance healthcare system delivery through revitalising the healthcare system and greater collaboration in the consolidation of resources during the 12MP period. The healthcare system will be redesigned, while health financing and public awareness will be strengthened. Emerging technologies will be leveraged to support the initiatives for better provision of healthcare services.
Among others, a blueprint for Malaysia Healthcare System Reform will be introduced as a new way forward — a national healthcare system transformation. In designing this blueprint, a study will be undertaken to strengthen the healthcare sector landscape. This study will include public healthcare sector transformation, private healthcare sector regulatory reform and sustainable health financing.
Increasing supply of quality affordable housing
Existing housing financing schemes will be improved to assist the bottom 40% income group (B40) and middle 40% (M40) households to own homes. In this regard, the rent-to-own programme will be expanded to cover houses priced up to RM500,000 with an option to purchase the property within five years of renting. In addition, the Fund for Affordable Homes and Youth Housing Scheme will continue to be provided in financing the purchase of the first house.
Efforts will also be undertaken to capitalise on land owned by the federal government and state governments, waqf land and utility providers for the development of affordable housing. A law on waqf land development will be introduced at the federal level, which will serve as a guide for waqf land development throughout the country. Housing redevelopment guidelines will also be developed, using the public-private partnership model, to rebuild public housing, especially dilapidated flats and old or abandoned government quarters that are beyond economic repair. The guidelines will facilitate redevelopment of low-cost housing areas to increase supply of better-quality houses.
Leveraging sports in building an active nation
Meanwhile, a national plan will be introduced to provide comprehensive guidelines for construction, management and maintenance of public sports facilities. Additionally, a centralised system will be developed to manage these facilities and ensure optimal utilisation. An integrated online booking system, including mobile applications, will be developed to allow greater access to public sports facilities.