KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5): Newly appointed Minister of Economy Mohd Rafizi Ramli told the press on Monday (Dec 5) that the nation will stay on course with the Economic Planning Unit's (EPU) plan of pushing the Malaysian economy out of the middle-income trap.
“In the [EPU’s] plan, the problem is already known. There is a strong correlation between what I previously felt as an outsider on what needs to be focused [and] with what is in the plan,” Rafizi said at a brief press conference at Menara Prisma, which houses the EPU.
“There is a good correlation in terms of focusing on industries or economic activity that can push [Malaysia] to a high-income country. The whole focus is to get us out of the middle-income trap,” the PKR deputy president added.
Touching on the plan’s particular focuses, Rafizi listed less-endowed states, vulnerable groups in society, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, technology, and a knowledge economy.
“Looking at what the plan is, I do have the comfort that the civil servants are trying their best and have covered all the necessary areas,” he said.
However, Rafizi continued that what the Government must ensure is that there is strong cohesion between the top brass and civil servants to make sure what is planned is carried out properly.
Touching on the nation’s economic policy direction, Rafizi said it is “very premature” for him to comment, and the Government will decide in the weeks and months ahead.
“I think it is very premature for me to say anything about any policy now. Let us go through everything with the leadership of ministries, let us go through the Cabinet, and then I think we’ll be able to decide with more information maybe in the weeks and months ahead, but I think it's too premature now,” he said.