A LEADING economist has urged the government to establish a dedicated ministry or central agency to coordinate the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), warning that without structured oversight, the plan risks disjointed execution and long-term inefficacy.
Dr Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed, director of the Malaysia Institute of Transport (MiTRANS) and associate professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), said the proposed body should monitor implementation, ensure cross-ministerial coordination, and develop measurable benchmarks.
“Plans should not be implemented without proper oversight,” she said. “Annual progress reports must be published to promote transparency and track outcomes.”
Speaking to Bernama, Dr Wan Mazlina said the agency must drive long-term, whole-of-government reforms, and guard against the continued fragmentation of development efforts. “This particularly includes developing measurable milestones and conducting periodic reviews to ensure the sustainability of the policy,” she added.
She warned that without such a mechanism, the 13MP could fall victim to “policy fatigue and missed opportunities, especially in responding to fast-evolving trends in mobility, logistics, sustainability and digitalisation.”
“The absence of measurable outcomes also makes it difficult to assess a policy’s effectiveness,” she said. “Plans may exist on paper, but without proper execution mechanisms, they risk being sidelined.”
The proposed central task force, Dr Wan Mazlina added, should align efforts across ministries and state governments, and involve the private sector and civil society in a collaborative reform process. “Most importantly, having a dedicated body would allow policies to be reviewed and adapted in response to evolving global and local challenges.”
Airports and Transport Infrastructure Must Take Centre Stage
Highlighting sectoral priorities under the 13MP, Dr Wan Mazlina said urgent investment in transport infrastructure—particularly airports—is essential to keep pace with regional competitors and support national tourism and logistics ambitions.
“Regional competitors like Singapore (Changi) and Thailand (Suvarnabhumi) are aggressively upgrading their airports, which is why Malaysia must do the same to stay competitive, as airports play a significant role in shaping visitors’ first and last impression of the country,” she said.
She called for the expansion of terminal capacity at major airports including Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Penang, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu, alongside the enhancement of immigration and customs systems through automation, including e-gates and biometric technology.
In addition, she stressed the importance of upgrading domestic and secondary airports in Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu and Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) sites.
“These upgrades are crucial to accommodate rising domestic tourism, support rural development, and strengthen air cargo services, particularly those linked to e-commerce and the agriculture sectors,” she said. - July 29, 2025
