KUALA LUMPUR: The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) initiatives and strategies should be concerned about and sensitive to the issue of distribution to ensure the wealth, growth and opportunities can be enjoyed by all groups.

When debating on the 12MP in the Dewan Rakyat today, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Bersatu-Pagoh) said inclusive development should be the main key in the 12MP, so that no groups, especially the interior residents, Bumiputera and Malays, Orang Asli and the indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak would be left out.

"In the transition of becoming a high-income nation, the realities of life of the people and business community that have been adversely impacted by the (COVID-19) pandemic since over a year ago should be given consideration and attention so as to benefit from the economic growth.

"If previously, Malaysians were categorised as B40, M40 and T20, the reality now is that there has been a clear reshuffle when many in the M40 group have slipped into the B40 due to the loss of income or reduced income during the pandemic," he said.

Muhyiddin said focus should also be given to providing job opportunities covering various sectors such as manufacturing and services to ensure the development of human capital and talents to fill the need for socioeconomic development, besides exploring new employment potential, especially in the gig economy of this era of digital technology.

He said the government needed to continue with the proactive measures under the National Employment Council to reach the target of creating 500,000 job opportunities his year as so far, 376,000 job seekers had been employed under this government initiative.

"At the start of the 12MP implementation, there must be aggressive efforts made to identify the jobless due to the pandemic.

"This is important in drawing up the strategies and proactive actions in providing the forms of aid based on the realities faced by the people today so that the aid reach the target groups and those really in need," he said.

As chairman of the National Recovery Council (MPN), Muhyiddin said he was shouldering the trust to ensure that all the strategies and efforts planned for national recovery could be implemented without hindrance, including the establishment of a recovery council in every state so that any decision made could be executed fast with the recovery process benefiting the people.

He also suggested that the government strengthen the financial management by improving the revenue collection system and using the existing laws for harmonisation of the sales and service tax collection to boost performance.

He said this effort could prevent leakage and failure to pay tax as it could adversely affect the country's revenue.

-- BERNAMA