Budget 2027 roadshow kicks off in Sabah with Blue Economy in focus
THE Ministry of Finance (MoF) has kicked off its Budget 2027 roadshow in Sabah, placing the state’s east coast blue economy among the key areas for consideration as the Government gathers input for next year’s national budget. Finance Minister II Dat...
The Budget 2027 roadshow in Sabah, Malaysia, commenced on August 15, 2026, with a focus on harnessing the potential of the Blue Economy. This sector encompasses key areas such as fisheries, aquaculture, downstream processing, logistics, and cold-chain infrastructure. Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, led the two-day visit to Tawau and Semporna, engaging with the Sabah Government, relevant agencies, and industry players to identify challenges and opportunities in these sectors.
Amir emphasized that Sabah's marine and aquaculture resources present significant opportunities to generate higher-value economic activities through enhanced productivity, improved supply chains, and wider market access. This emphasis on the Blue Economy aligns with the broader goals of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), which aims to diversify Malaysia's economic growth sources.
The visit also included inspections of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) implementation on Bum Bum Island in Semporna and Tawau, as well as a review of the Royal Malaysian Navy's operational readiness to safeguard Sabah's east coast waters. Additionally, Amir examined airport operations at Tawau Airport, underscoring improved connectivity as a crucial factor in driving economic growth and tourism along Sabah's east coast.
The Budget 2027 consultation process is nationwide, aiming to gather insights from various stakeholders, including state governments, industry players, and the public. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is conducting 25 engagement sessions, 14 state Budget roadshows, and at least 20 focus group discussions to gather feedback and ensure that the Budget 2027 accurately reflects the needs and development priorities of Sabah and the nation.
To measure the effectiveness of government spending, the MoF is adopting an Outcome-Based Budgeting approach, prioritizing initiatives that directly address the needs of the people, create economic opportunities, and deliver tangible results. This new approach will guide the finalization of Budget 2027, ensuring that every ringgit spent contributes to solving societal problems and fostering inclusive economic growth, as guided by the Economy MADANI framework.
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