Ninth Malaysia Plan ( 9 MP) / Rancangan Malaysia ke-9 (RMK-9)

What can We expect from the 9MP?
There are only another 15 years before Malaysia is supposed to achieve its target of becoming a "developed nation" in 2020. The 9MP will set the direction and the foundation for the trisemester.

A glimpse of the Prime Minister's 2006 Budget Speech
1. Implementing proactive goverment measures to accelerate economic activities.
a. Accelerting rural developemnt
b. Improving further the goverment's delivery system

2. Providing a business-friendly enviroment
a. Developing new sources of growth
b. mdernising the agriculture sector
c. developing the biotechnology sector
d. intersifying the ICT sector
e. encouraging research and development ( R&D )
f. Strengthening small and medium enterprises ( SMEs)
g. Enchancing Bumiputera participation in the property sector

3. Developing the human capital

4.Enchancing the well being and quality of life of Malaysians
a. Eradicating poverty
b. providing comfortable homes
c. improving public transportation in Klang VAlley
d. diversifying energy sources
e. regional development

Key policy objectives of the 9MP
A. Accelerate economic Activities
1. Manufacturing
2. Services
3. Agriculture

B. Modernising The Agriculture Sector
- more modern , higher value-added and commercial scale production

C. Encouraging More Domestic Investment And Strengthening SMEs
- making the private sector to tae the lead role in spearheading economic development

D. Developing Human Capital
- issue - un-employability of local graduates and low appeal of the national schools to
non-Malays
- transformation into a knowledge based economy
-making national schools the preferred school

E. Restructuring of Society
- the presistent socio-economic inequalities among the 3 major races in Malaysia
- can negatively impact growth , threaten national unity and affect societal stability
- goverment should take a leaf from previous experiences and ensure that past mistakes are
not repeated.
- imbalances is that the privileges offered to Bumiputeras

F. Enchancing Bumiputera Participation in the Economy and Property SEctor
- promote Bumiputera in entrepreneurship ( Petronas and Proton)

G. Regional Development
- disparities between rural and urban areas
- increase its allocation for rural development
- comprehensive development of the less developed areas ( Perlis Kedah Sabah S'wak)

H. Enchancing The Well Being and Quality of Life of Malaysia
- providing comfortable homes
- low cost houses via the Programme Perumahan Rakyat
- improve healthcare serives , transportation system and water delivery system
- recent hike in petrol prices at the pump by almost 19% has made travel more expensive - be it
by road or air
- upgrade existing rail transport system and major airports ( Penang Johor Kuching Miri
Bintulu )

I. Improving Further The Goverment's Delivery System
- reduce bureaucratic red tape
- establishment of Biro Pengaduan Awam - maange feedback and complaints from the public

Conclusion
We think a development allocation of up to Rm 200b would be too farfetched to expect from the 9MP. having said all of the above , it is important to remember that the 9MP is a long term 5 year plan and that the public or the market should not expect miracles overnight. Many o the deliverables under the 9MP may take at least 1 - 2 years before we could see tangible results.


source from ECONOMICA , Monday 27 March 2006 Page 12-14 ,Borneo Post.