KUALA LUMPUR (Apr 21): The federal government plans to pump in at least RM15 billion under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) to create a green growth concept within Malaysia's economic framework.

Prime Minister's Department's Economic Planning Unit director-general Datuk Seri Rahamat Bivi Yusoff said the planned annual RM3 billion to RM5 billion fund over five years, aimed to inculcate green growth, termed as the ‘game changer’ that will create environmentally-sustainable development.

Malaysia's 11MP is expected to be announced in May this year. The 11MP will outline the country's economic growth plans between 2015 and 2020.

“In the 11MP, green growth will be one of the game changers. What it means is we are serious about wanting to have development but it should be green. It must be part of the planning process. The budget was an addition to existing funds amounting to several billions currently set aside for forest rehabilitation process, flood mitigation and transport.

“The move is not only for environmental review purposes but it has to be part of the social concept. Plans that do not incorporate green concepts would cost more in the long-term when restoration takes place,” Rahamat said.

Speaking after opening the United Nations Development Programme and British High Commission’s "Towards Green Growth in Malaysia – Lessons Sharing Conference", Rahamat said the federal budget would also fund new legislation on environmentally-sustainable development.

She said Malaysia could learn from the UK's current practices.

“We don’t have to reinvent but we can actually learn from existing practices such as drawing up policies like in Britain. The funds would be utilised directly and indirectly to.

“The area we are looking at promoting is consumption and production in development which would incorporate green concepts. It does not have to be an expensive venture but developments must inculcate the concept." she said.