Terengganu MB Calls for Direct 13MP Funding to State Governments
2025-08-11
Free Malaysia Today
Kuala Lumpur – Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has strongly advocated for a shift in how the federal government distributes funds allocated for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). In a recent statement, he urged the government to bypass traditional channels and directly disburse these crucial funds to individual state governments. This proposal aims to expedite project implementation, ensure greater transparency, and ultimately, better serve the specific needs of each state.
Samsuri, representing Kemaman under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, believes that direct allocation will streamline the process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Currently, funds often pass through multiple layers of approval and administration, leading to delays and inefficiencies. By empowering state governments to manage and utilize these funds directly, he argues, projects can be initiated and completed more swiftly, contributing to faster economic growth and development at the local level.
“The states are closest to the ground and understand the unique challenges and opportunities within their respective territories,” Samsuri stated. “Direct funding will allow us to tailor projects to meet these specific needs, ensuring maximum impact and value for money.” He highlighted that states often possess the expertise and resources to effectively manage projects, and direct funding would simply facilitate their ability to do so.
This call comes at a crucial time as Malaysia embarks on the implementation of the 13MP, a five-year development plan outlining the nation’s strategic priorities. The plan encompasses various sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development. The efficient and equitable distribution of funds is paramount to the plan’s success.
While the specifics of how this direct funding mechanism would be implemented remain to be seen, Samsuri’s proposal has sparked a debate about the optimal approach to fiscal federalism in Malaysia. Concerns have been raised about potential issues of accountability and oversight, particularly if state governments are granted greater autonomy in managing public funds. However, Samsuri countered these concerns by emphasizing the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of funds. He suggested that the federal government could establish clear guidelines and performance indicators to track progress and hold state governments accountable.
The Menteri Besar’s suggestion has been welcomed by some state officials who echoed his sentiments about the slow pace of project implementation due to existing bureaucratic processes. Others remain cautious, urging for a thorough assessment of the potential benefits and risks before making any significant changes to the current funding model. The federal government has yet to formally respond to Samsuri's proposal, but it is likely to be a topic of discussion in upcoming parliamentary sessions and intergovernmental meetings. The outcome of this debate will have a significant impact on how Malaysia's development agenda is implemented in the years to come.
Samsuri, representing Kemaman under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, believes that direct allocation will streamline the process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Currently, funds often pass through multiple layers of approval and administration, leading to delays and inefficiencies. By empowering state governments to manage and utilize these funds directly, he argues, projects can be initiated and completed more swiftly, contributing to faster economic growth and development at the local level.
“The states are closest to the ground and understand the unique challenges and opportunities within their respective territories,” Samsuri stated. “Direct funding will allow us to tailor projects to meet these specific needs, ensuring maximum impact and value for money.” He highlighted that states often possess the expertise and resources to effectively manage projects, and direct funding would simply facilitate their ability to do so.
This call comes at a crucial time as Malaysia embarks on the implementation of the 13MP, a five-year development plan outlining the nation’s strategic priorities. The plan encompasses various sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development. The efficient and equitable distribution of funds is paramount to the plan’s success.
While the specifics of how this direct funding mechanism would be implemented remain to be seen, Samsuri’s proposal has sparked a debate about the optimal approach to fiscal federalism in Malaysia. Concerns have been raised about potential issues of accountability and oversight, particularly if state governments are granted greater autonomy in managing public funds. However, Samsuri countered these concerns by emphasizing the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of funds. He suggested that the federal government could establish clear guidelines and performance indicators to track progress and hold state governments accountable.
The Menteri Besar’s suggestion has been welcomed by some state officials who echoed his sentiments about the slow pace of project implementation due to existing bureaucratic processes. Others remain cautious, urging for a thorough assessment of the potential benefits and risks before making any significant changes to the current funding model. The federal government has yet to formally respond to Samsuri's proposal, but it is likely to be a topic of discussion in upcoming parliamentary sessions and intergovernmental meetings. The outcome of this debate will have a significant impact on how Malaysia's development agenda is implemented in the years to come.