Terengganu ranks 1st nationwide for state budget transparency

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) has ranked Terengganu first nationwide for state budget transparency in the latest Malaysia Open Budget Index (MyOBI) 2026 report. Terengganu and Selangor continue to lead the rankings, showcasing improvements in publicly available information despite economic and political differences.

This report highlights that Terengganu, along with Selangor, Perak, and Negeri Sembilan, have made substantial disclosures of key state budget documents. Notably, Terengganu went a step further by disclosing expenditure in exceptional detail, including allocations at the program level, making it the only state to publish the 2026 enacted budget within the assessment period.

While IDEAS commends the progress, it cautions that no state has achieved complete transparency, as the supply bills, enacted budgets, and year-end reports remain challenging to access. The think tank underscores that substantial disclosure does not equate to complete transparency and that states must prioritize timely publication of budget information, stronger legislative oversight, and meaningful public participation to truly enhance budget transparency and accountability.