The government will continue to build proper homes for the poor.
On Education
Quality and access to the national education system to be enhanced through the implementation of the Education Development Master Plan and the National Higher Education Strategic Plan.
Focus will be given to rural education in order to reduce the wide gap in academic achievements between rural and urban schools. About RM13.5 billion to be allocated to improve school infrastructure, provide more information and communications technology facilities as well as encourage more experienced teachers to serve in rural areas.
Special emphasis will be given to rural schools in Sabah and Sarawak. Also, national type Chinese and national type Tamil schools will continue to receive aid and be upgraded.
Efforts to be sustained to make national schools the school of preferred choice for all races.
On Poverty Eradication
A more streamlined and coordinated monitoring and assessment mechanism will be implemented at various levels of state and district administrations. This effort will be spearheaded by the “Focus Group on Poverty” which is chaired by the chief secretary to the government.
The government is confident that the Ninth Malaysia Plan’s (9MP) target to eradicate hardcore poverty by 2010 will be achieved.
On Improving Income Distribution
More emphasis to be given to human capital development through skills enhancement and the inculcation of positive values. Specific focus will be given towards increasing the income share of the lowest 40 per cent of households, thus creating a larger and more prosperous middle-income group.
The average household income of Malaysians has continued to rise from RM3,249 in 2004 to RM3,686 in 2007.
Last year, the average household income of Bumiputeras rose by 5.2 per cent to RM3,156 a month, whereas the average income of Chinese households rose by three per cent a year to RM4,853 while that of Indian households rose by 3.2 per cent to RM3,799.
Increasing Healthcare Services
The provision of healthcare services and improvements in the quality of these services will continue to be given attention.
Among others, access to healthcare for Orang Asli and minority groups in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak will be enhanced. Mobile clinics, including flying doctor services, will be added to serve remote areas.
To address shortage of personnel in public health, the intake of students into institutions of higher education for criticial courses will be increased.
A better benefits package to retain doctors and health personnel in the public health sector is also being considered.
Meeting Housing Needs and Improving Urban Services
Housing development will focus on adequate, quality and affordable housing for sale or rent, for all Malaysians.
The implementation of the low-cost housing programme will be expedited in the final phase of the 9MP with the additional construction of 18,500 low-cost units for rent under the Program Perumahan Rakyat.
Furthermore, 12,300 units under the Rumah Mampu Milik (Affordable Housing Programme) will be built by 2010.
Improving Public Transport
This is to be given priority following the fuel price hike.
The coverage of urban rail transit is to be extended while there will be more integrated public transport terminals.
A public transport commission will be set up and a transport master plan drafted to ensure future development will proceed in a smooth and orderly manner.
Rural road networks will be further extended to address inadequate road coverage in Sabah and Sarawak,
Integrating Services Delivery Across Agencies
In order to improve complaints monitoring and resolution, a “One Number Call Centre, No Wrong Door” online complaints management system for the public sector will be established.
In addition, a consolidated national registry system will be set up to allow for sharing of data across relevant agencies and to reduce data errors or duplication.