What several ministers and members of Parliament have to say about the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) - which was the first economic planning blueprint handed down by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi since he became prime minister in 2003.

These are their reactions when interviewed in Parliament yesterday:

Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Energy, Water and Communications Minister and Gerakan president

What is always worrying for Malaysians is whether we will get value for the money that we spend, so I think this is the aspect that we got to look in it.

Compared with the 8MP in which RM6 billion was allocated to my ministry, we are now getting double under the 9MP and most of it (will be spent) on water and sewerage. About RM8 billion for water and RM3 billion for sewerage; energy doesn't need that much because it has been privatised.

S Samy Vellu, Works Minister and MIC president

This is a considerate plan and gives more attention to the rakyat. It not only outlines (the strategies) to strengthen the economy but is also concern about socio-economic impact to improve quality of life.

(On why there is no new initiatives to increase the Indian equity ownership)

The Indian equity has reduced to 1.2 percent from 1.5 percent but they have increased their investment in properties and other areas. I think Indians have not shown they are keen in the share markets and all that, the equity is all on share market. They have started investing in houses, lands etc which is more permanent and provide them the facilities to be economically sound.

But still, we will still go ahead with our plan to increase our equity to 3 percent with the help of the government. We have asked the government to monitor very carefully the growth of the Indian equity and we also asked the govt to set up a unit in the PNB (state-owned investment arm Permodalan Nasional Berhad) to enable us to continue investing soundly on a regular basis.

Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Second Finance Minister

(On whether government debt will balloon to RM351.3 billion, or 48.6 percent, of the GDP by the end of the 9MP in 2010)

No, the deficit now stands at 3.8 percent, but the deficit will go down and will be sustained at 3.4 percent in the period. So in terms of ratio, it will be at a very low sustainable level, that is what was announced by the prime minister.

(On the worsening inequality over the last five years, highest among bumiputeras, as compared to Chinese and Indians:)

The government made it very clear that based on the strong growth at 6 percent, we have enough scope to distribute because when the growth is good, then we have the flexibility to distribute more, we always want to distribute on the basis of growth.

Shahrir Samad (BN-Johor Baru, Backbenchers Club head)

(On the widening gap of inequality over the last five years)

If you allow for economic growth, there will be less concern on distribution, that has always be the basic of the New Economic Policy. The problems and criticisms have always been distribution because when there is no growth, then there is the problem of distribution.

At times, it is the problem of distribution itself. Private initiatives are seen as a way of getting certain interests to push their bad projects.

(On whether he is in favour of the private financing initiative, PFI)

I accept the fact that there will be occasions for the to priivate and public sectors to work together but even then, there must be a political will to say 'no' when the projects is not good, and not just to say 'yes' all the time.

Privatisation policy can continue, but it must bring about positive results and impact to the rakyat and the nation eventually. That must take place even though it is under the name of PFI, and we must have serious monitoring.

SK Devamany (BN-Cameron Highlands)

(On why there is no new initiatives to increase the Indian equity ownership)

From the 8MP, there was no development (for the community), there was deterioration, that's why we must rectify the problem, we must make sure the 3 percent is implemented this time.

Every three months, the PM is going to monitor (the implementation) through a monitoring mechanism, that's what we are interested in. The policy was there but the implementation failed so in this 9MP, they will make sure the implementation is enhanced.

The other question is we got other initiatives such as training but in terms of economy, there is no clear mechanism on how we are going to implement for the Indian's 3 percent of equity ownership - that we want to know. The community is waiting anxiously from the PM to know how is this 3 percent is going to be achieved.

Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh)

The government is trying to be very fair to everybody, Malays and non-Malays, not only in education but also in terms of the polarisation. Like what the PM said, he realised polarisation is happening in schools and we will do something about it. He is hoping that the opposition will work together with the BN to develop this country.

Everything has been taken care but our challenge now is to make sure these things are implemented, everything is in the book, written and said, but the implementations part is a challenge, especially the civil servants who are the implementators in all this. The failure in that (implementation) will be a failure in this (9MP).

(On the proposed university to be built in Kelantan under 9MP)

Actually Umno has been harping on it, (we have) been pressuring the PM but he kept mum for the past one and a half year but today, he finally gave us the good news.

Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Itam)

(The 9MP) is a correct policy as it studies the income gap among the various races and how to reduce the gap. Also, through the PFI, it helps to realise the 9MP. The places in university will be doubled in five years and more universities and polytechnics are to be built, There has never been such a huge increase in the past.

(On the focus to build more roads instead of improving public transportation)

I think this is a right strategy because improving our public transportation system also means accessibility and connectivity in the rural area - especially when you need to carry out development.

M Kula Segaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat)

This is the first time the government has acknowledged that the Indian community has been marginalised. What I feel is the administrators may not be serious to do something to alleviate the problem because the problem of the Indian community is very serious and need urgent deliberation and attention.

There must be some seriousness in the delivery system because we all know the civil service is becoming ineffective. Instead of serving the public, it is doing a disservice. (The plan) also recognised the problem in terms of the racial composition in the civil service, that is good. I would like to see more Chinese and Indian director-generals and secretary-generals.

Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian)

Generally we are quite happy about the 9MP, but there are various obstacles that we observed and the agenda that to fight against corruption is the most important parts of the agenda.

(On an university to be built in Kelantan:)

They have to fulfill their promise in the past election, I will wait for that.