ID :
84342
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 11:54
Auther :

TENTH M'SIA PLAN WILL NOT FORSAKE OPPOSITION-HELD STATES

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The Economic Planning Unit under the Prime Minister's Department will not forsake the needs of opposition-ruled states when drawing up the 10th Malaysia Plan to be tabled in Parliament next June.

In giving this assurance, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nor
Mohamed Yakcop said, the federal government would ensure fair distribution of
people-centric projects to all states under the five-year plan.

"We will ensure that the plan contains a fair distribution of
projects...obviously, the bigger states would have a bigger allocation but we
will be equal in distribution," he told reporters after meeting representatives
of the Perak Government at the unit Monday.

He said Prime Minister Najib Razak had, on numerous occasions, reiterated
that the federal government would be inclusive in attending to the needs of
opposition-held states.

"Whether we agree with their inputs or otherwise, is not important but what
is important is for us to get the input from them in the first place.

"So far, I have met a few menteris besar of these opposition-held states and
they are so far, satisfied with what we have told them. They felt assured and we
are looking at viable projects in these states," he added.

The minister also said that to date, he had met representatives of the
Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and Perak governments and that he was satisfied with
dialogues held with them.

He said the 10th Malaysia Plan would roll out projects that were
people-centric, which would give high impact on the lives of the people.

"For example, Perak. They want us to give priority to tourism and
tourism-based industries because they are interested in nature-based tourism. We
can
leverage on the good infrastructure available in the state to achieve this aim.

"We also have to remember that the Plan would be based on the new national
economic model with priority on high income base. We are meeting the state
representatives because we want to know what they have in mind for the state,"
added Nor Mohamed.

He said the draft of the Plan would only be ready sometime next year, and
submitted to the Cabinet for approval and subsequently tabled in Parliament.

He however, declined to reveal the amount which would fund the 10th
Malaysia Plan, saying "that is confidential and would be revealed at the tabling
of the Plan."

He said, unlike the previous Plans, the 10th Malaysia Plan, which was deemed
important in achieving the 2020 Vision, would only outline projects on a
two-year revolving basis.

"This means (that) when we table the Plan next year, we would only announce
projects for 2011 and 2012. After 2012, we would again announce projects for
another two years.

"This gives us flexibility in giving priority to projects. This will also
take away the pressure from government agencies and ministries to submit their
respective projects for five years. They only have to submit proposed projects
for two years and have time to revaluate their position after the two years,"
said Nor Mohamed.
-- BERNAMA


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