Balanced Development, Lasting Impact: Tun Abdullah’s Economic Blueprint Remembered

By Karina Imran

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Allahyarham Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will be remembered not only as Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister but also as a visionary leader who championed a more inclusive and regionally balanced approach to economic development, said economists.

Among his many contributions, one of the most enduring was the establishment of five regional economic corridors: Iskandar Malaysia, the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), and the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy (SCORE).

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Sunway University economics professor Yeah Kim Leng said these corridors are a hallmark of  Abdullah’s balanced development strategy, aimed at bridging the gap between Malaysia’s more industrialised states and its less developed regions, thereby narrowing regional disparities and income differences.

"The multiple economic corridors are designed to leverage each region’s resource endowments, competitive advantages, and growth opportunities. The investments and industries attracted to these corridors not only contribute to the state-level gross domestic product growth but also create jobs for the local population.

"This, in turn, reduces migration to the more developed states," he told Bernama, adding that corridors like NCER and Iskandar Malaysia attracted high-growth and high-value industries, leading to higher wages, improved income levels, and a better quality of life.

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He also noted that these corridors have spurred the development of modern housing, commercial centres, infrastructure, and public facilities, along with improved access to quality education and healthcare services.

Yeah acknowledge that while the economic performance of the five corridors varies and may not have fully met the intended development objectives within the expected time frame, there is no doubt that, without such regional development policies and plans, Malaysia’s regional disparities would have worsened.

Echoing similar sentiments, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid described Abdullah’s legacy as a key foundation for Malaysia’s continued progress towards becoming a high-income nation.

"Abdullah made significant contributions to Malaysia’s economic development. Initiatives such as the transformation of government-linked companies, the development of the halal economy, and the creation of regional economic corridors helped propel the national economy and served as a template for future development.

"To this day, these regional corridors remain relevant in various economic development programmes," he added.

Abdullah, 85, passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) here at 7.10 pm on Monday.

-- BERNAMA