- 13MP aims to boost competitiveness through high-value manufacturing and semiconductors.
- The plan focuses on automation, skilled labor, sustainability, and digital infrastructure.
- Malaysia is expected to reach high-income status by 2030 under the 13MP goals.
Economists assert that Malaysia's competitiveness will be improved by the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) through high-value manufacturing, with policies that support its businesses and investors.
According to Dr. Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff, Associate Professor at Putra Business School, while the 13MP will be presented to Parliament on July 31, the 13MP will then serve to strategically navigate the economy of the country from 2026-2030. The intention is to position Malaysia as a regional leader, through its current strengths and especially its manufacturing and semiconductor capabilities.
The strategy intends to increase the semiconductor value chain while creating regional resiliency that is built on sustainability and inclusiveness. To do that, Malaysia will increase automation, provide incentives to incentivize and provide technological advancement, and provide forward motion to a highly skilled labour force.
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As for digitalisation, it is expected to assist in the development of infrastructure, develop ecosystems for strong digital sub-sectoral growth, and support the purposes of cybersecurity and data protection.
At the same time, Dr. Yeah Kim Leng, an economist at Sunway University, concluded by stating that the 13MP ought to create an environment where free markets can thrive, and the private sector can be encouraged to innovate, compete, and thrive.
He mentioned that Malaysia is anticipated to shift into a high-income country, as classified by the World Bank, within the 13MP timeframe from 2026 to 2030. The economist highlighted that a major factor in this shift is the continuous growth of high-value and advanced manufacturing and service sectors.