Revisiting RMK13 not a hasty decision, says Fahmi

THE government's move to review the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) was not a hasty decision, but one that has been discussed for the past two weeks.

Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that discussions on the matter began with the draft that was presented by the Secretary-General (KSU) of the Ministry of Economy to the Cabinet.

"We have actually discussed it ... in a press conference a few weeks ago I mentioned that the Prime Minister had asked each ministry to review the draft that was presented by the KSU of the Ministry of Economy. This was long before the 'tweets' and so on.

"As the public is aware, any policy programme or decision made must first be presented in Cabinet.

"Therefore, the Prime Minister has asked that on Friday last week, all ministries review the draft and write to the Ministry of Economy with feedback," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after officiating the Nadi Aspirasi Nasional Bersama Anak Muda (NANBA) Programme organised by the Community Communications Department (J-KOM) at the Merbau Hall, IWK Eco Park @ Pantai Dalam, today.

He was responding to criticism from former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who questioned the government's decision to revamp the five-year national development plan so close to its scheduled tabling at the end of July.

Rafizi, who is also the Pandan MP, warned that the last-minute overhaul could alarm civil servants, market analysts, and the public.

This followed the announcement by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar who informed that Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had been assigned to revamp and finalise the RMK13 while carrying out the duties and functions of the Minister of Economy with immediate effect.

Fahmi said a special Cabinet meeting was held early last week to examine the views of all ministries.

“In the meeting, it was seen that many things were requested by the ministries that needed to be considered by the Ministry of Economy in forming the RMK13 document.

“That is among the reasons why the Cabinet last Wednesday, the last meeting, decided that Amir Hamzah was asked to assume the duties and functions of the Minister of Economy,” he said. - June 28, 2025