KUALA LUMPUR: The shared prosperity economic model is a crucial step in plugging the glaring disparities in living standards in Malaysia, said experts.
They said the targeted seven thrusts unveiled by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would provide decent standards of living for all Malaysians by 2030, regardless of race, economic class and geographic location.
However, they said much needed to be done to ensure that the new model was executed successfully, and not become lip service.
Malaysian Youth Council president Jufitri Joha said the government’s underlining of inclusive and distributive development for all regions as a thrust in the model was long overdue.
“This, however, must come with the government providing infrastructure and transport for the development of the regions.
“In a programme in Tumpat, Kelantan, recently, youths there appealed to the government to extend the East Coast Rail Link to Pangkalan Kubur so that there could be more job opportunities, transportation and other infrastructure,” he told the New Straits Times.
Jufitri said the government must realise that most youths had no choice but to migrate to the Klang Valley to get jobs.
“Those from the Bottom 40 income group, who make up a major portion of the Malaysian demographic, are mostly concerned about economic opportunities.
“Unlike middle- and higher-income classes, to them, having enough food to eat as well as being employed and paid adequately to feed their growing families is their biggest priority.
“The government needs to ensure a balanced development on the east cost, as well as in Sabah and Sarawak, and address wage and economic disparities affecting youths.”
He said ensuring a balanced development and infrastructure growth could prevent social ills in big cities.
Political and economic analyst Dr Hoo Ke Ping described Dr Mahathir’s vision as fantastic.
However, he said, the most important thing was to see how prepared ministries were to operationalise these concepts.
“The people need a scorecard on the ministry’s achievements from day one to set it against their goals to gauge whether the goals are realistic and, most importantly, measurable. This is so it doesn’t become mere lip service.
“Dr Mahathir is a man of vision. No one is denying this but does his cabinet have the means, determination and knowledge to rise to the occasion?
“Right now, if ministers are preoccupied with the merits of black shoes and flying cars, they may not be able to be on board with such objectives”.
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the government’s primary task was to resolve poverty and the high cost of living.
“Poverty could cause problems and lead to crime. The increasing cost of living leads to this, especially in urban areas where more families are struggling to make ends meet.”
Lee said the authorities must help the poor and less fortunate, including senior citizens and single mothers.
He said the government’s effort to strengthen social wellbeing must cover all aspects, including tackling crime and negative perception of crime reduction, as well as addressing social issues.
“Better cooperation and coordination among enforcement agencies is needed to reduce crime and change the public’s perception.”
Full article: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/487246/experts-much-needs-be-done
