KUALA LUMPUR, 17 JANUARY 2022: The close cooperation between Federal and State governments, their relevant agencies and Economic Corridor Authorities will create synergy and a development ecosystem that is comprehensive and integrated, that will boost economic growth and promote a more balanced development, which are essential in achieving the goals set under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Economy) YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed in his keynote address at a webinar organised by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) entitled The Role of State Governments and Corridors Authorities Towards National Development said to achieve the goals outlined, the role of state governments and economic corridors that focus on regional development such as ECERDC and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) are important as catalyst, enabler, and driver of socioeconomic development especially in Regions that have been identified as underdeveloped.
“In order to create integrated development synergies and address regional development needs as a whole, development in the five regional economic corridors will continue to be given attention. The Corridor Authority will be involved in accelerating strategic development in the region to achieve a more balanced and inclusive regional development. The focus will be on the implementation of high impact projects to attract quality investment in the region. This will create more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that will reduce cross -regional socio-economic disparities and in turn contribute to more rapid economic growth,” said YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa.
Four speakers, YB Dato’ Dr. Razali Bin Ab Malik, Negri Sembilan State Secretary, YBhg. Datuk Seri Panglima Hashim Paijan, Chief Executive of SEDIA, YH Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC and YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Rajah Rasiah, Distinguished Professor of Economics at the Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya presented their respective topics at the webinar which was attended by close to 500 participants from both the government and private sectors, as well as members of the public via Zoom and FB Live platforms. The session was moderated by Shuhaimi Mohamed, producer and host of BERNAMA TV.
YB Dato’ Dr. Razali touched on Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0: Preferred Investment Destination, YBhg. Datuk Seri Panglima Hashim presented on Infrastructure Development as Stimulus of Economic Development, YH Dato’ Baidzawi spoke on Human Capital Development as a Driver of Inclusive and Balanced Economic Development while YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Rajah Rasiah presented his paper entitled 12th Malaysia Plan: Technology Development and Innovation Towards Achieving a High-Income Nation.
“Continued implementation of human capital development programmes will be key to enabling equitable and sustainable growth for the region. Our human capital development programmes such as empower ECER, entrepreneur ECER and ECER Talent Enhancement Programme (ETEP) have to be continued as these programmes have been proven successful in improving academic performance, producing skilled workers and developing entrepreneurs so that the people can break free from the cycle of poverty. At the same time, this will enable the rakyat to participate in and contribute to ECER’s sustainable socio-economic growth and transformation, in line with the aspirations of 12MP and Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama 2030 which seeks to enable inclusive growth across Malaysia,” said YH Dato’ Baidzawi.
Among the success stories shared by YH Dato’ Baidzawi during the webinar was about an Orang Asli student, Sam Li Chin who initially obtained 4B, 4C, 1E and 2G in her SPM trial. After participating in the empower ECER programme, her results improved tremendously and she scored 9As in the SPM examination. Li Chin, whose father is a supermarket supervisor and mother is a cleaner is currently continuing her studies at SMK Proton City and will be sitting for STPM.
Another testimonial shared was Ahmad Shahir Razali, who took a barber course and has expanded his barbershop “Ocean Barbershop to three outlets, 2 in Dungun and 1 in Paka, Terengganu. He now employs 12 employees, increasing his income from RM1,200 to RM20,000 a month.