Achieving 13MP Ambitions Depends On Strong Political Will, Execution -- Kenanga Investment
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) outlines a bold vision of structural transformation, social inclusivity, and climate resilience, but its credibility hinges on political will and disciplined execution, said Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd.
It noted that the government’s strategic focus on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and tourism signals a clear intent to move up the value chain.
The investment bank added that the National Semiconductor Strategy and National Energy Transition Roadmap, backed by digital infrastructure, form the cornerstone of Malaysia’s high-growth, high-value industrial push.
“If effectively implemented, these could enhance Malaysia’s role in global supply chains and attract capital into strategic sectors,” it said in a note.
However, Kenanga Investment said delivery remains the biggest risk, as past long-term plans have suffered from bureaucratic inertia, overlapping mandates, and poor enforcement.
It said the introduction of the “Pelan Pelaksanaan Dasar” monitoring system and governance reforms like MyDigital ID and the Iltizam Act are steps in the right direction, but enforcement will require overcoming chronic inter-agency coordination gaps that have, historically, been the stumbling block.
“Large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the East Coast Rail Link and Penang Light Rail Transit, promise to lift connectivity and narrow regional imbalances, yet are vulnerable to delays, cost overruns, and land acquisition bottlenecks.
“The expansion of halal industrial parks and Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone further complicates execution, particularly when state and federal interests diverge,” it added.
Externally, the investment bank said Malaysia faces a more hostile trade environment than in previous development cycles as the fracturing of global trade, intensifying United States-China rivalry, and commodity market volatility pose threats to the country’s export-led model.
Domestically, fiscal consolidation efforts could collide with rising social obligations, particularly as the population ages and healthcare costs rise, it added.
-- BERNAMA