Budget 2027 to heed rakyat’s voices, PM Anwar says, as energy crisis weighs on households

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the 2027 Malaysian Budget must reflect the voices of the people and prioritize their well-being. Malaysia, like many nations, is grappling with the effects of the ongoing energy crisis and rising cost-of-living pressures stemming from the conflict in West Asia. The Madani government aims to listen to the aspirations of all segments of society, ensuring that the country's progress benefits the people directly.

The 2027 Budget Engagement Session, chaired by Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, set the stage for the upcoming Fifth Madani Budget, which will be presented to Parliament on October 9, 2026. Under the theme "Malaysia Madani: Menggapai di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi" (Malaysia Madani: Reaching for the Sky, Rooting in the Earth), Budget 2027 will focus on three pillars of the Madani Economy: boosting national growth, improving the well-being of citizens, and reforming governance.

The Ministry of Finance launched a Budget 2027 Consultation Portal and the 2027 Pre-Budget Statement, inviting input from nearly 400 participants across various sectors, including government agencies, private and industrial industries, academia, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, and international organizations.

The 2027 Pre-Budget Statement identified ten focus areas to guide the consultation process, such as addressing cost-of-living pressures, enhancing social protection, empowering education, healthcare, and basic services, boosting business competitiveness and productivity, and strengthening food security and economic resilience.

Discussions at the Engagement Session covered expanding social protection and primary healthcare, promoting business competitiveness through automation and artificial intelligence, accelerating the green transition and carbon-market readiness, and reinforcing household resilience and food security. The session was the first of several focus-group meetings to refine proposals from various sectors and societal groups.

The Ministry of Finance plans to conduct Budget 2027 roadshows across regions and states to further engage the public and stakeholders. Public submissions of views and proposals can be made through the Budget 2027 Consultation Portal at https://belanjawan.mof.gov.my/.