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PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) economic portfolio chief, Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, has raised fundamental questions over the effectiveness of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), urging that its success hinges not only on policy ambition, but on political honesty, execution transparency, and a willingness to respect federal-state checks and balances.
He warned that Malaysia is grappling with a compendium of long‑standing issues—global slowdown, geopolitical instability, cost-of-living pressures, energy transition demands, and demographic ageing—demanding a plan that does more than talk, but truly resolves structural economic impediments.
“We cannot deny that RMK13 must be a truly national development plan—one that addresses structural imbalances which have long shackled the economy and fails to raise living standards for the rakyat,” he asserted in a statement today.
While Syahir acknowledged that RMK13 encapsulates the aspirations of the Economic MADANI framework via seven economic goals, three core pillars, four foundations, and 27 priorities, he stressed the crux lies not in the volume of ambitions, but in the robustness of implementation structures and political accountability.
Highlighting regional inequality, he criticised RMK13 for departing from RMK12 by omitting a defined fiscal allocation formula for underserved states such as Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.
“More troubling is that RMK13 fails to address fiscal-federal relations, revenue-sharing on resources like petroleum, or the consolidation of federalism. These omissions are at the root of widening regional disparities,” he said.
Syahir also questioned the plan’s limited focus on economic ownership. While RMK13 mentions challenges like income inequality, low wages, and foreign direct investment dependency, it lacks bold reform to promote ownership among Bumiputera, rural communities, and informal workers—areas previously championed in the Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama 2030.
“In essence, without a narrative for increasing public ownership, RMK13 appears designed for investors, not the majority. This risks deepening inequality,” he said.
He challenged whether RMK13’s growth model remains trapped in debt-driven and foreign-controlled dynamics when sustainability requires homegrown talent, technology and ownership. Education reform proposals need deeper consultation to translate promised socioeconomic outcomes into reality.
Regarding social safety net adjustments—such as subsidy reductions and tax widening—he called for more granularity: “Do these reflect the true burdens faced by struggling households? And with an ageing population looming, does RMK13 offer credible long‑term plans for boosting productivity, eldercare networks, and progressive labour policies? These are policy gaps that demand candid, comprehensive answers.”
As the opposition, Syahir stated that PN is committed to engaging with RMK13 constructively. Legislators will scrutinise every core and priority, advocate for transparent fiscal distribution, and amplify the voices of marginalised states.
He also commended public service agencies for delivering RMK13, noting: “A strong civil service is the backbone of national policy execution—and ultimately determines whether RMK13 benefits the rakyat.”
He concluded: “The success of RMK13 does not rest on elegant planning alone—it depends on political courage, execution integrity, and the government’s willingness to embrace scrutiny and listen to the people and the states. Without bold action, RMK13 risks being nothing more than stationary rhetoric.” - July 31, 2025