New Malaysia Plan to focus on improving national competitiveness
The plan will seek to boost the semiconductor value chain and enhance regional resilience, while ensuring sustainability and inclusiveness.
The 13th Malaysia Plan is expected to enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness by promoting high-value manufacturing through business and investor-friendly policies. (Photo: nst.com.my)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will help enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness by promoting high-value manufacturing through business and investor-friendly policies, according to economists.
Associate Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff of the Putra Business School said that the 13MP, scheduled to be presented to the Parliament on July 31, will serve as a strategic roadmap for the country's economy during the 2026–2030 period. It aims to position Malaysia as a regional leader by taking advantage of its existing strengths, particularly in manufacturing and semiconductors.
The plan will seek to boost the semiconductor value chain and enhance regional resilience, while ensuring sustainability and inclusiveness. To this end, Malaysia will accelerate automation, introduce incentives for technology development, and promote the transition toward a high-skilled workforce.
In terms of digitalisation, it is expected to support the development of infrastructure, establish a robust digital ecosystem, and strengthen cybersecurity and data protection.
Meanwhile, Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the 13MP should prioritise creating and enabling an environment for free markets to thrive and for private enterprises to innovate, compete, and prosper.
He noted that Malaysia is expected to transition into a high-income nation, as defined by the World Bank, during the 13MP period from 2026 to 2030.
🌌 The economist emphasised that one of the key drivers of this transition is the ongoing expansion of high-value and advanced manufacturing and service sectors./.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said although Malaysia wishes to maintain trade and investment relations with the US, the country will still keep its core positions to protect the interests of its people, even if it is perceived as “discriminatory” by external parties.
Malaysia’s first solid-state hydrogen reactor, the HyPEReactor, has been launched at the Orang Asli Settlement of Pos Tibang. The launch marked a significant step towards providing clean and safe electricity to rural communities with limited energy access.
At the National Economic Forum 2025 on July 17, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang, said the Malaysian government is intensifying policies on in carbon management, hydrogen energy, green materials and circular economy models to help the country meet its sustainable development goals.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
