From Education Reforms to Everyday Expenses: Has 13MP/RMK13’s Vision Matched With Reality?

13MP (RMK13) has sparked significant public interest, with discussions capturing 11,575 mentions and over 834,170 engagements across social media platforms since its announcement on 31 July 2025. The plan allocates a staggering RM67 billion to education and RM40 billion to healthcare, alongside initiatives to tackle everyday expenses through wage hikes and subsidies. However, what began as optimism has evolved into a heated debate, with netizens questioning whether these pledges can translate into tangible relief amidst soaring costs for groceries, housing, and utilities. At the core of the controversy is the gap between 13MP’s (RMK13’s) lofty vision promising a future-ready workforce and financial security and the lived experiences of ordinary Malaysians. The plan’s emphasis on compulsory preschool, TVET enhancements, and a living wage benchmark of RM3,100 for government-linked company employees has been hailed as progressive. Yet, for many, it highlights a disconnect between policy rhetoric and the immediate pressures of rising everyday expenses, from tuition fees to transport costs. As online conversations intensify, the public is demanding evidence that 13MP’s (RMK13’s) reforms will deliver beyond the drawing board.  

Timeline of Public Reactions

The public’s take on 13MP (RMK13) has evolved since its launch, with engagement peaking at key moments:

1 August 2025:

Initial chatter kicked off with 76,638 engagements, as the RM611 billion investment and AI leadership goals grabbed attention, though early doubts about execution surfaced.

4–5 August 2025:

Discussion surged, hitting 215,256 engagements on 5 August, driven by outrage over the proposal to end schooling at 16 to boost TVET access. Memes and heated opinions flooded platforms, marking a pivotal moment.

6–19 August 2025:

Engagement dipped to 92,824 on 6 August and tapered off, but sustained interest in EPF reforms and cost-of-living issues kept the dialogue alive, reflecting ongoing scrutiny.    

Where Did the Conversation Happen?

The dialogue has exploded across TikTok (372,340 engagements), Facebook (263,927), Instagram (116,612), YouTube (68,971), Twitter (8,626), online media (2,972), and forums (722), showcasing a vibrant range of reactions. TikTok leads with viral clips mocking policy flaws, Facebook hosts deep dives into personal impacts, and Twitter buzzes with quick takes on government moves.    

Key Themes That Drove the Conversation

EPF Pension and Foreign Worker Contribution Backlash (35%)

The shift to monthly pension payouts from lump-sum EPF withdrawals and a 2% levy on foreign workers, effective October 2025, has drawn fierce resistance. Many fear losing financial flexibility for major expenses like housing, while the levy is seen as a revenue grab rather than a fairness measure, exacerbating economic strain. These reforms are expected to impact retirees and the workforce by providing more stable long-term income but may reduce immediate financial flexibility.

Economic Pressures and Budget 2026 Scepticism (25%)

13MP’s (RMK13’s) “floor and ceiling” framework to support the B40 in Budget 2026 has mixed reviews. While some welcome the inclusivity, others call it vague, doubting its ability to offset rising living costs, expanded SST, and subsidy cuts, with suspicions of staged positivity deepening mistrust. These measures are intended to increase support for the B40 and improve economic equity, which could have a positive impact on Malaysia’s GDP as part of broader efforts to drive economic growth.

Criticism Towards Government & PMX (20%)

Netizens have targeted PMX and opposition parties like PAS and MCA, split between backing Anwar’s vision and accusing him of broken promises. Frustration mounts over petty political critiques, underscoring a trust deficit.

Education Reform Controversies (15%)

The proposal to end schooling at 16 for TVET entry has sparked alarm, with fears of overloading youth and educators, potentially stunting long-term development. Calls for reinstating exams like UPSR and addressing teacher shortages reflect a demand for balanced education policies.

Retirement Age Extension Resistance (5%)

Raising the retirement age to 65 faces strong pushback, with concerns about blocking youth jobs, health risks for older workers, and a preference to revert to 55 or 60 to protect retirees’ well-being, often linked to EPF restrictions. Various groups have made efforts to advocate for the interests of retirees, highlighting the importance of considering the needs of all people affected by such policies. The government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of older people in Malaysia remains central to these ongoing discussions.    

Word Cloud Analysis

1. Support for Development and the Future

Words like sokong (support), masa depan (future), plan, pembangunan (development), and berjaya (successful) reflected optimism that 13MP (RMK13) could set Malaysia on a more sustainable path. Netizens expressed support (sokong) for policies that promised pembangunan while securing a stronger masa depan for the rakyat, with berjaya symbolising aspirations for collective achievement.

2. Cultural Identity, UNESCO and Ownership Disputes

The presence of indonesia / indonesia.., unesco, bahasa jawa (Javanese language), cina (Chinese), jawa (Javanese), berakar (rooted/ancestral), kain (cloth), and penuh (full) pointed to cultural debates. Netizens raised questions of heritage ownership, particularly around claim and klaim (claims of cultural origin). While unesco symbolised pride in globally recognised heritage, disputes over batik, language, and lineage revealed how identity politics intertwined with 13MP (RMK13) discussions.

3. Economic Concerns and Daily Realities

Keywords such as ekonomi (economy), duit (money), makan (food), paid, sikit (little), and tanah (land)m underscored anxieties about affordability. Netizens connected 13MP (RMK13) to everyday struggles putting food (makan) on the table, having only sikit resources, and questions over tanah access. For many, the ekonomi was not abstract but tied directly to daily livelihoods and limited incomes.

4. Political Conduct and Representation

Words including pembangkang (opposition) DAP , komen (comment), fakta (facts), peribadi (personal), pejuang (fighter, also political party), pendang (a constituency in Kedah), and kelantan revealed political frustrations. Netizens criticised leaders for reducing parliamentary debates to personal comments (komen. peribadi) rather than addressing facts or offering constructive alternatives. Mentions of pejuang and regional references(Kelantan, Pendang) demonstrated how 13MP (RMK13) was interpreted through party lines and local politics.

5. Calls for Wisdom, Education, and Effort

Positive and aspirational terms such as bijak (wise), pendidikan (education), usaha (effort), kids, and ckp(speak/talk) highlighted expectations for smarter governance. Netizens urged leaders to act with bijak judgement, prioritise pendidikan for the younger generation (kids), and demonstrate usaha in addressing long-term national challenges rather than indulging in petty debates.    

Social Sentiment Breakdown

Negative (80%): Anger, scepticism, and rejection of perceived government overreach. Neutral (10%): Informational posts, policy clarifications, and updates. Positive (10%): Approval of voluntary opt-in schemes and clarity on the CPF-like payout structure.    

What Netizens Were Saying

     

Final Takeaways

Trust begins with choice: Malaysians want to feel in control of their future. Retirement policy should empower, not restrict. Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all: Malaysians have diverse goals from business plans to supporting ageing parents. Flexibility in withdrawals is a necessity, not a luxury. Transparency is key: In the digital age, policy must not only be sound it must be clearly communicated and open to dialogue. Powered by DXT360 data, 1–19 August 2025. Email: info@dataxet.com.my LinkedIn: Dataxet Malaysia Facebook: Dataxet Malaysia