THE GOVERNMENT needs to present in the Parliament the expenses of the RM400 billion allocation for the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), says Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan).
Its president and Semporna MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (picture) said this to ensure that the funds are spent accordingly as it was the largest amount allocated for the Malaysia Plan in history.
“With a budget of RM400 billion for 12MP, it is important for the government to prioritise the allocation to create more employment opportunities, especially in the high-skilled sector.
“I also proposed the formation of a special body to monitor the implementation of the 12MP with the main objective of creating more jobs for the people,” Shafie told Dewan Rakyat today.
Shafie also urged the government to find ways to reduce the income gap between the urban and rural population, the gap between regions, races and income groups especially from the B40 and the urban poor.
“It needs to be the core of the national development plan. Only by reducing the gap between us will we be able to enjoy prosperity together equally,” Shafie said.
Meanwhile, he noted that Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) continues to face various problems despite receiving a huge amount of funding.
“Maybe we need to look at the solution to this problem from another angle.
“MAB needs to consider a business model that can profit from leaving its assets static or standstill and unused,” he stated.
He suggested that MAB should modify its passenger planes to become cargo planes following the trends among international airlines.
Moreover, he said the government needs to focus on finding the country’s “niche market” to differentiate itself from other countries.
“We must have the ‘Malaysia Best’ mentality to market Malaysian products that we are proud of internationally.
“I also hope that this will be included in the framework of the new Industrial Master Plan,” he said.
On the Bumiputera equity quota, he said that the government should not find a shortcut by providing equity directly to the Bumiputeras.
“There are various problems that arise such as Alibaba or sabotage of contracting to cronies, which only enriches the elite.
“We need to monetise our country’s wealth for the people and the nation, not just to enrich cronies,” he said.
He pressed that every ringgit and sen spent should have transparency and accountability to ensure that every activity proposed and implemented will give real benefits to the people.
