
Anwar receives 13th Malaysia Plan document ahead of tabling in Dewan Rakyat
Anwar said the handover marked the conclusion of the preparatory phase for the national five-year development plan, covering the period from 2026 to 2030.
"The preparation of the 13MP involved extensive engagement sessions with a broad range of stakeholders across various sectors, backgrounds, and regions, including state governments, to ensure that the voices of the people are genuinely reflected in the nation's future planning.
"The 13MP has been formulated as a comprehensive development plan with a focus on uplifting the dignity of all Malaysians in a just and equitable manner, leaving no group behind.
"Insya-Allah, I will table the 13MP motion in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow," he said in a Facebook post.
Anwar added that the Madani government welcomed constructive debate and input from all Members of Parliament to further strengthen the policies and strategic direction outlined in the 13MP.
On June 13, Anwar had said the 13MP would mark a turning point in the nation's efforts to address various economic challenges, including development and income disparities.
He said that pressing challenges included development and income inequality, limited fiscal space, and the slow pace of structural economic transition.
He added that Malaysia must become more resilient in facing global economic risks and uncertainties, while accelerating structural transformation and narrowing socio-economic development gaps.
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'While the intention is clear, what is important is that clear guidance on scope and guidelines are defined well for all the malls in the industry. 'This is important to ensure better clarity among stakeholders. In addition, the scope can and should be flexible as recycling effectiveness varies significantly based on the mall's management policy, operator maturity, and tenant mix,' he states. It will be good for the government, adds Chan, to also consider incentivising green practices as an inducement for greater adoption. Such an approach would then not be dependent solely on penalties as a change-inducing tool, he remarks. Sunway, says Chan, has always been a strong advocate of sustainability, with many sustainable practices embedded in its vision, strategy, and operations. Its malls were among the first to have recycling facilities on their premises 'It is important that we demonstrate a tangible commitment to our ESG,' he adds, referring to environmental, social and governance principles. Chan explains that larger, more well- established malls would already have some form of recycling facilities on their premises while those without would have appointed vendors to segregate their waste, with some extending their recycling initiatives to the community to maximise volume by adding the collection of fabric, e-waste, and plastic bottles. This is because waste segregation often requires a properly controlled environment and suitable space to prevent contamination and pest infestation. 'While the approaches differ, the objective remains essentially the same – to recycle and cut down on waste,' Chan says. Asked if having recycling facilities at malls would encourage shoppers to sort and turn in their waste, he says the biggest contributors to recycling waste remain mall tenants. In Sunway Malls alone, they divert 120 tonnes of waste from the landfill every month. 'Recycling facilities, and campaigns or initiatives are just one component out of many in waste reduction. 'We found in our earlier studies that educating retailers remains key to successful ESG initiatives. 'Without knowledge, there is no application even with the best of facilities provided,' says Chan. Two years ago, Sunway Malls launched a Sustainability Collaboration Alliance Network, a five-way partnership, which includes the Malaysia Retail Association and the Malaysia Retail Chain Associat- ion, and is aimed at transforming the retail industry to become more sustainable. Does size matter? Staff working the 'food digester' at the recycling centre in a Sunway mall to help F&B tenants with the large amount of food waste they generate. The machine will give the waste new life as compost, which is then packed and left for the public to pick up – for free – at designated spots. — Sunway Malls Asked if the ministry's proposal should be implemented in malls of all sizes, Chan replies that he thinks it is best to carry out a proper waste audit first to identify the needs of each establishment instead of imposing a blanket implementation for all. 'We wish to reiterate that the recycling facility initiative needs to be flexible and robust whether it is applied onsite or offsite. The focus should be on the end result rather than the means,' he says. Based on Sunway Malls' experience, Chan says either a basic recycling facility or outsourced vendor should be sufficient for mid-sized malls whereas a smaller sized mall may only require responsible and committed waste vendors. Larger-sized malls, on the other hand, may require additional segregation efforts such as food waste management and water management. 'In Sunway Malls' context, malls above one million square feet in net lettable area, such as Sunway Pyramid and Sunway Carnival, have the capacity to include a recycling facility on their premises, whereas those under one million square feet practise recyclables collection and appoint waste vendors to sort and recycle the collection with proper documentation and data in place,' Chan says. 'On top of recycling efforts, both Sunway Pyramid and Sunway Velocity also have a food digester on their premises as both malls have identified food waste as a major waste contributor,' he adds. The food digester turns food waste into soil, which is then used for landscaping and given to the public for free. In Phang's opinion, the requirement for recycling facilities should be implemented across malls of all sizes. 'It should be for all malls as recycling is a community initiative and all malls serve their own communities and beyond,' she says. Phang says today, malls are no longer just places for shopping – they are experiential spaces that serve multiple functions, from shopping and dining to leisure spaces, education, and community interaction. Having recycling facilities in malls will certainly increase awareness, Phang points out, adding that she hopes the authorities can organise road shows in malls to encourage shoppers not only to recycle but also upcycle. 'With their reach and influence, malls can play an important role in educating the public on recycling and sustainability, complementing efforts made in schools and academic institutions. 'Hence, instead of imposing penalties, the ministry should consider incentivising recycling efforts to encourage greater participation, especially from smaller malls or strata malls for long-term success for everyone.'