Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli (Photo by Shahril Basri/The Edge)
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 6): The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) is expected to table a midterm review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in Parliament sometime in September 2023.
According to Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli, the assessment will centre on stimulating and balancing economic growth as well as prioritising fiscal consolidation initiatives in the face of global economic uncertainties.
While he did not specifically identify which mega-projects will be up for review, he said the federal government will look into the implementation of each one and engage with other relevant ministries before applying any modification to those projects.
"I have not looked at the details of every project. The process is that we do midterm review, look into details of these projects and engage with the relevant ministries.
"Should there be any changes, for example, obviously they will be fed to the finance ministry. Because at the end of the day, allocation of resources will be done by the finance ministry," Rafizi said at the Kick-off Conference of 12MP hosted by EPU and World Bank on Tuesday.
He added that his ministry will conduct a review and prepare documents with recommendations for the federal government's approach on the projects outlined in the 12MP.
The 12MP is a development road map for 2021 to 2025 presented by former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in 2021, for which the federal government had allocated some RM400 billion to finance the continuation of projects and new projects.
Some of the key infrastructure projects outlined in the plan are integrated rail and road networks connecting airports and ports in industrial, urban and rural areas.
These projects include the Klang Valley Double Track Phase One connecting Rawang and Salak Selatan, which is expected to be completed in 2022.
Electrified Double Track Gemas to Johor Bahru, which is the final stretch of the electrified double track from Padang Besar, Perlis to Johor Bahru, Johor, is scheduled for completion in 2023, and the implementation of the East Coast Rail Link project continues and is expected to be completed in 2026.
The Rapid Transit System Link project, which connects Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North station in Singapore, commenced construction at the end of 2021.
The West Coast Expressway, which stretches between the states of Selangor and Perak, is expected to be completed by 2024; the Central Spine Road project from Bentong, Pahang to Kuala Krai, Kelantan is scheduled for full completion in 2025; while the Kota Bharu to Kuala Krai Highway is expected to be completed by 2025.
"Of course through the process when we do midterm review we look to take into account the global challenges. There might be some modifications. It is a work in progress. So long [as] we are agile, cooperating with the challenges and adapting appropriately, hopefully within the time frame of 12MP, we will achieve most, if not all, of the objectives," he added.