THE empowerment of the Bumiputera community remains a top national priority under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, following the plan’s tabling in Parliament today.
He confirmed that the plan incorporates key elements from the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), which outlines 132 initiatives agreed upon during the recent Bumiputera Economic Congress.
“These efforts are intended to benefit all segments of society—from rural and peri-urban areas to those living in cities, including our friends in Sabah and Sarawak,” Zahid said during a press conference in Parliament.
Describing RMK13 as timely, Zahid noted that Malaysia is facing global economic headwinds and competitive pressure from supply chain disruptions.
“I am particularly drawn to the second policy focus, which stresses economic empowerment through value creation and is driven by digitalisation and technologies such as artificial intelligence,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s growth strategy must now centre on cultivating high-value industries within strategic sectors.
“This ensures that our economic growth is not only sustainable, but also inclusive and equitable.”
Zahid also welcomed the continued focus on strengthening Malaysia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem, especially in aligning it with wage structures beyond the national minimum.
“It is my hope that these premium wages, based on competence and technical skill, will shift the national mindset away from unskilled labour and towards value-added workforce investment,” he said.
“This provides an added boost to our education system and improves employment prospects across the country.”
On climate resilience, Zahid said RMK13 also makes critical strides in disaster risk management.
“What the Prime Minister presented today is a long-term framework that will strengthen Malaysia’s ability to mitigate natural disasters—especially flooding, which we have long struggled to address,” he added. - July 31, 2025
