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We call on the Government to release  the Mid-Term Review of the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) immediately to members of parliament   Press Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kuala Lumpur, Saturday): Every nation needs development plans to ensure that there is effective development. Malaysia has Outline Perspective Plans (OPP) and Malaysia Plans (MPs). The first OPP was from 1970 to 1990, the second OPP from 1991 to 2000 and the third OPP from 2001 to 2010, coinciding with the 8MP and 9MP. The 8MP was launched on 23 April, 2001. Then, there have been a series of events including 911, Bali bombing and SARS that affect world economy. Since 1998, Malaysia has had exchange control to stop international currency speculators from attacking our Ringgit. We have had consecutive deficit budgets for five years.  It has taken the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department and the cooperation of all the ministries in the past two and a half years to prepare the MTR. Now, Dr Mahathir will be presenting the MTR on 30 October, 2003. Hitherto, members of parliament have not yet obtained a copy of the MTR. If it takes thousands of civil servants 2 ½ years to study MTR, how is it possible for members to go through it within 2 ½ days?  We urge the Government to release the MTR immediately for perusal by members so that we can make the debate more meaningful.  Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi should look into this aspect of things as he is taking over the helm on 31 October, 2003. (25/10/2003) *  Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong