Pendapatan rakyat jadi fokus Belanjawan 2027

The Malaysian government, during the 2027 Budget session, has identified raising citizens' incomes, providing more high-quality jobs, and addressing living costs as key focus areas. Finance Minister II, Amir Hamzah Azizan, highlighted that this year's budget approach centers on three main pillars: increasing wages, enhancing quality, and strengthening management.

The government remains committed to boosting citizens' incomes, expanding opportunities for high-quality jobs, and tackling living cost challenges through targeted and efficient approaches. When speaking at the 2027 Budget session at the Ministry of Finance, Amir emphasized the focus on high-quality investment, productivity growth, and the development of strategic sectors such as semiconductors, energy transition, the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), and Islamic finance.

The government also aims to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups through access to financing, digitalization, innovation, and market expansion to allow more domestic products to reach global supply chains as Made in Malaysia.

To achieve the goal of raising wages, the government will continue to improve the quality of public services in line with the Malaysia Plan 13 (RMK13) while reinforcing the education system, improving healthcare quality, and enhancing human capital development, Amir said. He added that the role of NGOs, civil society organizations, and strategic partners is crucial in ensuring assistance and social interventions reach vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Meanwhile, the focus on sound management will involve improving regulations, facilitating investment, digitalizing services, and reducing bureaucratic red tape.

Amir acknowledged that economic reform is not easy, especially when the foundations introduced are not popular. He noted that among the steps already taken are the reduction of electricity subsidies since 2023, expansion of the sale and consumption tax (SST) scope, and the implementation of e-Invoicing on a phased basis. "Often, the foundations introduced are not popular, but they need to be implemented because of their long-term benefits for the nation and people's welfare," Amir concluded.