KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for this year is very likely to exceed the earlier projection of between 6.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said sentiment remains positive at the end of 2022 with encouraging economic performance following the reopening of the economy amid the transition to the COVID-19 endemic phase.

He noted that unemployment rate also dropped to 3.6 per cent in October 2022.

“However, labor participation has not returned fully to the level before the COVID-19 crisis when the (unemployment) rate was 3.3 per cent, and the jobless rate for youth below 25 years old is still worryingly high at 10 per cent,” he said during the tabling of the Consolidated Fund (Expenditure on Account) Bill 2022 and motion for interim development expenditure estimates for 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the entanglement of geopolitical conflicts has led to global inflationary pressures and weakened economic growth, and the surge in commodity and food prices has adversely impacted Malaysians in terms of cost of living.

He noted that the International Monetary Fund has forecast that global economic growth would slow from 3.2 per cent in 2022 to 2.7 per cent in 2023.

“To deal with this significant global impact, the Federal Government is adopting a whole-of-nation principle.

“All quarters should join the government in formulating a comprehensive approach.

“The wealthy and conglomerates that have raked in huge earnings due to rising commodity prices and government subsidies must also contribute towards improving the people’s well-being, especially the B40 and M40 (bottom 40 per cent and middle 40 per cent household income) groups and petty traders,” Anwar said.

He said Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), for example, has agreed to contribute RM10 million this year and RM50 million next year to help poor paddy farmers.

The government, Anwar said, will spare no effort to strengthen the economic indicators, restore investor confidence and rebuild the country.

The prime minister also said he was touched by the reception and support received from other countries that have extended their commitment and assistance to explore potential trade and investment opportunities with Malaysia.

“For example, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei (Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah) has offered to have the Brunei Investment Agency explore new investments in Malaysia and hence benefit both countries,” Anwar said.

He said the International Trade and Industry Ministry and Finance Ministry have been tasked to improve the facilities for business operations and raise the quality of investments in order to generate high-income jobs for Malaysians, especially the youth.

At the same time, the administration of foreign workers has been centralized at the Home Ministry to ensure that industry players can flourish, particularly those in the commodity, construction and tourism sectors, he added.