Pendapatan rakyat jadi fokus Belanjawan 2027

The Malaysian government prioritizes increasing public income, creating more high-quality jobs, and addressing household expenses in the 2027 budget, according to Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan. The approach for this year's budget is based on three main objectives: raising wages, boosting infrastructure, and strengthening governance.

The government also takes into account global economic uncertainty and growing public expectations for government delivery. The ministry always prioritizes efforts to increase public income, expand high-quality job opportunities, and manage household cost challenges through targeted and efficient approaches, said Amir during the Finance Ministry's 2027 budget session.

The agenda to raise wages will focus on high-quality investments, productivity enhancement, and development of strategic sectors such as semiconductors, energy transition, digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), and Islamic finance. The government will also strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and new companies through access to financing, digitalization, innovation, and market expansion to enable more local products to reach global value chains as Made in Malaysia.

To boost infrastructure, the government will continue to enhance the quality of public services in line with the Malaysia Blueprint 13 (RMK13) while strengthening the education system, improving healthcare service quality, and enhancing human capital development, said Amir. The ministry emphasized that the role of NGOs, civil society organizations, and strategic partners is crucial in ensuring support and social intervention reach vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Meanwhile, the good governance agenda will involve improving regulations, facilitating investment, digitalizing services, and reducing bureaucratic red tape. Amir acknowledged that economic reform is not easy, especially when the foundation is not popular. He noted that some steps have already been taken, such as easing electricity subsidies since 2023, expanding the scope of sales and service tax (SST), and implementing electronic invoicing.

"Often, the foundation introduced is not popular, but it needs to be implemented for the long-term benefits to the country and people's welfare," Amir said.