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Former second finance minister Datuk Seri Haji Johari Abdul Ghani said the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) is important for the country's development after the COVID-19 pandemic

According to New Straits Times, he said the five-year national plan is crucial at this juncture due to the effect caused by the pandemic, which has limited government fiscal space and curtailed its fiscal sustainability.He said the government debt currently stands at RM958 billion — 61.2% of gross domestic product (GDP). The amount includes debt guaranteed by the government amounting to RM300 billion consisting of bonds issued by Danainfra and Prasarana, and other off-budget government commitments.He said he is uncertain how Putrajaya can finance hundreds of billion in development expenditure for the next five years without having to raise the statutory debt limit every year.