LETTER | The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) welcomes parts of the 13th Malaysia Plan, including those addressing key issues such as stagnant wages, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare and food sustainability.

While the initiative is commendable for aiming to improve the living standards of those in the B40 and M40 income groups, the government must ensure close monitoring of expenditures to prevent leakages.

A total of RM227 billion, or 53 percent of total development expenditure, has been allocated to support infrastructure, digital infrastructure, public transport, flood mitigation, affordable housing and capacity-building projects.

An additional RM133 billion has been earmarked for the social sector, including education and healthcare.

We urge that all expenditures be carried out transparently and through open tender to ensure that the intended target groups benefit fully.

Public transport in Malaysia has seen a long period of decline, with a significant shift towards private vehicle ownership.

This trend has led to worsening traffic congestion, limited parking availability and growing demand for highway expansion.

To address these issues, the government has had to commit substantial funds. However, increased spending alone does not solve the fundamental problem.

What the country urgently needs is an efficient public transport system that incorporates first and last-mile connectivity through demand-responsive transit (DRT).

This would reduce or even eliminate the need for constructing multi-storey car parks and allow commuters to avoid crossing busy highways.

For those in the lower-income group, public transport offers significant relief. It removes the financial burden of car loans, high maintenance costs and other related expenses, enabling them to allocate their monthly income to more essential needs.

However, to be truly effective, public transport must be designed with people’s needs in mind.

It must be affordable, especially for the B40 group, and convenient, with DRT systems providing flexible access. It must also be reliable and punctual to build public trust and encourage widespread use.

Public transport services should be operated by the government, at least in the foreseeable future, as profitability should not be the primary concern.

We believe the government should establish a national Housing and Development Board rather than continue to rely so heavily on private housing developers.

We had previously called for the creation of such a board to take charge of affordable housing development on land owned by the government and public authorities.

The proposal to adopt the Industrialised Building System and Building Integrated Management is timely, as these methods offer more consistent quality, faster construction times, and lower costs.

We also support the expansion of initiatives such as the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Rent-to-Own programme, which will help more low- and middle-income Malaysians become homeowners.

Those in the B40 group should not be excluded from home ownership or left in uncertain rental situations where they may be forced to move or face unexpected rent increases.

To ensure the success of the 13th Malaysia Plan, the government must also promote transparency and inclusive public participation throughout its implementation.

Regular audits, public disclosures, and accessible feedback mechanisms will help strengthen trust and encourage civic involvement.

Development efforts should also be guided by long-term sustainability principles that balance economic progress with environmental care and social fairness, ensuring that no community is left behind.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.