DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NATIONWIDE IMPLEMENTED BASED ON REAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE - FADILLAH

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Development projects nationwide, including in Sabah and Sarawak, are being implemented based on actual needs to ensure that the benefits are felt by the people as a whole, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said the implementation of projects under the MADANI Government is not driven by political considerations but instead prioritises the needs of the people, ensuring that the targeted groups receive the intended benefits.

“This is based entirely on the needs of each region or state, and on identifying who the intended beneficiaries are.

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“That is why the perception that we are approaching development based on politics is completely untrue,” he said as a panelist in a forum titled ‘Kerajaan MADANI - Retrospektif dan Memeta Perjalanan ke Hadapan’ (MADANI Government - Retrospective and Mapping the Way Forward) held here today.

The forum was part of the 2025 National Convention on Public Service Reform, held in conjunction with the Rancakkan MADANI Bersama Malaysiaku programme, and also featured Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as a panelist.

The Rancakkan MADANI programme, held at Dataran Putrajaya over three days beginning Friday, was organised by the Prime Minister’s Office through the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit (PACU).

Taking into account the needs of the people, Fadillah said the government is also implementing targeted subsidies, including the floating of chicken and egg subsidies, restructuring electricity tariffs, and targeted diesel and RON95 petrol subsidies - measures that have managed to save about RM15.5 billion per year.

He said the savings from these subsidy reforms were channelled towards providing cash aid to the people, strengthening the education and health sectors, and improving public infrastructure - ensuring that the benefits are felt directly by the people.

“So, this is what Ahmad Zahid mentioned earlier - the current approach to reform. Through the transformation or reforms we are implementing, we will be able to revitalise the country’s economy,” he said.

Commenting on the country’s future direction, Fadillah said one of the government’s key priorities is to propel Malaysia into the digital era, particularly through advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor technology.

He said approved investments in the sector for 2024 alone had reached RM378.5 billion, with the potential to generate 207,241 new job opportunities, thereby supporting economic growth and boosting the people’s income.

“With these new technologies, we want to ensure that our country remains competitive amid today’s global challenges, while positioning Malaysia firmly on the right development trajectory,” he said.

Commenting on the government's priorities moving forward, Fadillah said that from 2026 onwards, the focus would shift towards reshaping national development through the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

He said the 13MP would emphasise an economy anchored on value creation, sustainability and inclusivity, supported by comprehensive reforms driven through close collaboration between the civil service and the public.

Fadillah stressed that sound policies and effective planning must go hand in hand to realise Malaysia’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation with a sustainable economy and a high quality of life for its people, in line with the spirit of the MADANI Government.

Touching on Malaysia's achievements at the regional level, he said the country has demonstrated strong diplomatic capability, particularly through its role in hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits last October. This included policy planning as well as facilitating the participation of ASEAN member states and international partners in Malaysia.

“This achievement has also further elevated Malaysia’s standing on the international stage,” he added.

-- BERNAMA