PUTRAJAYA, December 31 – Alhamdulillah, we are grateful to Allah SWT because we can meet tonight. Throughout 2021, we are going through various challenges and trials. However, this does not break the spirit of the Malaysian Family. Rest assured that, as promised by Allah SWT, every difficulty is accompanied by ease.
Armed with this confidence, I take this opportunity to wish a Happy New Year to all Malaysian Families. With the arrival of the year 2022, then begins a new page in our lives. I pray that the year 2022 gives Sinar Baharu to the Malaysian Family.
The year 2021, saw this COVID-19 spread until it reached a record of 24,599 cases daily and resulted in 393 deaths on 26 August. Various proactive measures have been implemented by the government to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joint efforts between the Government and the people have borne fruit when recently, the number of infections has decreased to around 3 thousand cases daily.
However, looking at the current increase in cases today in countries like the United States (589 thousand cases), France (206 thousand cases) and the United Kingdom (188 thousand cases), we need to always be vigilant with this COVID-19 epidemic, furthermore with the emergence of new variants such as the Omicron.
To that end, the Government has taken certain measures to be prepared to face any contagion in the country. The government also needs the support of the people to continue to abide by the SOPs and practice self -control.
As we approach the end of 2021, Malaysian families are being tested by floods that are quite unusual, especially in the states of Selangor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and several other states. The disaster has not only destroyed property, but also resulted in loss of life. I am deeply saddened and grieved by the loss of 48 lives lost in the floods.
I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and pray that they endure this ordeal. Despite the tragedy and grief, this flood disaster has highlighted the spirit of the Malaysian Family, which is togetherness among the people regardless of race, religion and rank.
I would like to thank the security agencies, Government staff, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), volunteers and individuals who worked hard to assist and coordinate relief missions during the floods as well as carry out post-flood rehabilitation work.
Similarly, assistance and contributions from the corporate sector including GLCs and GLICs. You are all unsung heroes. Well done and congratulations.
The government is aware that the lives of flood victims in the coming months are very challenging and desperately need the support of all of us to rise again to rebuild lives.
Therefore, the Government is committed to ensure that the assistance that will be channeled will be improved so that it is more comprehensive and can be immediately delivered to those in need. So with this I announce the Malaysian Family Flood Relief as follows;
i. First, Benevolent Money Assistance (or BWI) of RM1,000 to each Head of Household compared to RM500 previously. The Compassionate Money Assistance payment has been given since December 27, which is 10 days after the floods compared to before which took 3 to 6 months. This will benefit over 45 thousand Heads of Households. The number who will receive this assistance could increase when we finish identifying those who are affected but have not moved to Temporary Evacuation Centers (or PPS). To date, as many as 20,000 Heads of Households have received this assistance.
ii. Second, a cash voucher of RM500 Ringgit for the purchase of electrical goods to each family of flood victims to replace electrical goods damaged due to the flood disaster. Purchases can be made on premises or on e-commerce platforms recognized by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. This program will be implemented starting January 7, 2022.
iii. Third, I understand and realize that many vehicles are badly damaged as a result of the flood disaster which affects not only movement but also a source of income. For affected PERODUA and PROTON owners, the company offers an exemption for towing services and repair wages in addition to a 50% discount on spare parts.
While other companies provide free towing services and a discount of at least 25% on spare parts and repair wages at registered service centers.
For owners of vehicles damaged due to floods, the Government also provides cash vouchers of RM1,000 for the purpose of repair or purchase of all affected vehicles including lorries, cars, motorcycles and others. The issuance of cash vouchers and discounts will begin in January 2022.
iv. Fourth, the Government will also provide cash assistance of up to RM5,000 for each family for home repair work to flood victims who have suffered non-serious damage.
However, for serious damage, the Government itself will repair the house at a cost of up to RM15,000. Meanwhile, for houses that are destroyed and cannot be occupied, the Government will help up to the cost of RM56,000 per unit of new houses built.
v. Fifth, as many volunteers and NGOs had donated equipment to the victims and to avoid duplication, the Government agreed to provide cash of RM2,500 specifically for the purchase of essential items according to their respective suitability. This grant is special for those who suffered damage to goods due to floods.
The total cash distribution to the victim can reach RM10,000 for each Head of Household. This is the Government’s effort to reduce the burden of the people without having to withdraw EPF savings. With this effort, contributors can maintain their savings and enjoy an annual dividend of around 5% at the same time they can plan for the future after retirement.
Even for those who suffered total house destruction, the amount of assistance is much higher and can reach RM61,000. I hope that by giving a little, I can give Sinar Baharu to the Malaysian Family.
The year 2021 will also see the challenge of political instability which at the same time threatens the recovery agenda and unity of the country as a whole. However, through the memorandum of understanding on transformation and political stability signed on September 13, this challenge can be addressed in the spirit of the Malaysian Family, across political differences.
Through this stability, Alhamdulillah, the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) was approved without any amendments on October 7, as well as the 2022 Budget was also passed with the support of the majority on December 13.
I was very happy and moved when the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) was passed by all the 200 Members of Parliament present. This proves the spirit of unity in difference. I would like to thank every MP for his support.
In line with the common values embodied in the concept and philosophy of the Malaysian Family, I believe that members of Parliament will also support several Bills that will be tabled such as the Anti-Party Jumping Bill, Constitutional Amendments and other amendments to the law and Parliamentary Transformation. This spirit of togetherness will definitely add more political stability in the country.
Along with the ongoing Parliamentary Transformation, the Government is also ready to undertake a transformation in the Judicial system to strengthen democracy in the country.
Despite all the difficulties we face, the year 2021 will also see the beginning of the Government’s efforts to rehabilitate and restructure the country’s economy. This has resulted in the positive achievement of several key macroeconomic and people’s indicators.
For the first time, total trade reached RM2 trillion after growing 24.6% for the period January to November 2021 compared to the same period last year. Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) also increased by 3.0% in the first nine months of 2021.
As an indicator of economic vibrancy at the consumption level, the sales value of wholesale and retail trade also recorded an increase of 5.4% to RM116.4 billion in October 2021. The unemployment rate has begun to recover to 4.3% in October 2021, from a peak of 5.3% in May 2020. This latest figure is also lower than the previous two months.
Investment figures are often one of the popular indicators of the business community’s confidence in a country’s economic integrity. Here, Malaysia recorded a positive growth of RM12.8 billion net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the third quarter of 2021 compared to RM8.2 billion in the second quarter, an increase of 56%.
This brings the total net FDI for the first nine months of this year to more than RM30 billion. I am also confident, with the country’s economic growth momentum expected to continue in 2022 with the GDP growth rate projected to grow between 5.5% to 6.5%, in line with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projection at 6% and the World Bank at 5.8%.
Here I want the Malaysian Family to feel more optimistic and enthusiastic with the new year 2022. The Government will boost economic recovery with the implementation of various initiatives announced in the 12MP and Budget 2022 documents to ensure economic resilience and well-being of Malaysian Families.
Towards that end, one of the Government’s main focuses in 2022 is to create at least 600 thousand new job opportunities in addition to the immediate recovery of the Small and Medium Micro Enterprises (SMEs) sector.
The year 2022 is also the year for Malaysia to get back on track to set a long -term national economic plan. Several important themes need to be mobilized in 2022.
Among them is the empowerment of the digital economy in line with the demands of current reality. With the same awareness of the need to adapt to the needs of the present and the future, Malaysia has also made a commitment to achieve the status of “carbon-neutral nation” by 2050.
The transformation towards an environmentally, socially and governance -oriented economy and society (or ESG) requires a shift in various aspects of management, administration and the mindset of policy -making.
For example, in terms of job opportunities that will be generated, Malaysia must be prepared to create an ecosystem that is able to generate activities and job markets that are in line with the demands and needs towards an ESG-friendly economy and society.
This is one of the initiatives that I consider important to take inspiration from the voices of the young people of the Malaysian Family so that we can pass on a sustainable country to future generations.
Therefore, the existing education system will be adapted to better focus on this aspect of ESG. This is where the TVET Education curriculum in particular needs to be improved to meet the needs of these future jobs.
From a different angle, the aspirations of the ESG also require the courage of the government to create a more conducive policy framework and incentives. That is why, among the incentives that prove the Government is committed to
the agenda is full exemption on import duty, excise duty, sales tax and even road tax (or roadtax) for electric vehicles (or EVs).
The government is also aware that in achieving this goal, support ecosystems such as infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) need to be developed and improved as in developed countries.
From the social aspect and the well -being of the people, the Government’s focus is to meet the housing needs of the young generation of Malaysian families. This aspect will also involve Artificial Intelligence technology where the Smart Safe City concept will be introduced in stages starting in major cities throughout the country.
This is one of the translations of the economic direction that will be moved in 2022. In addition to the agendas that I have mentioned a moment ago, the basic thing, namely poverty is still my priority. As I promised, the core value of the Malaysian Family is Inclusion.
Togetherness and Gratitude and no one should be left behind. I will personally lead the Government’s Poverty Eradication initiative through the establishment of Poverty Units established at the central, state and district levels to address the issue of poverty and income disparities.
This includes urban and rural poverty. In the same spirit of inclusiveness, the Government will continue to focus on rural progress and development throughout the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
In conjunction with the New Year 2022, let us create Sinar Baru for Malaysian Families, make a resolution to celebrate the similarities and set aside the differences that exist between us. Come work with me and my colleagues in the government to continue the progress agenda of this beloved country.
