Bersama to unveil alternative 2027 budget ahead of Anwar's tabling

Bersama party leader Rafizi Ramli announced plans for the party to reveal a shadow budget on October 6. The shadow budget aims to address how Malaysia's taxation system can be improved and to prioritize spending, according to Rafizi. The former economy minister highlighted that the current tax system has largely been inherited from previous administrations and that the proposal seeks to enhance public scrutiny of the party's fiscal and tax strategies.

Rafizi emphasized that unlike in certain other nations, Malaysia currently lacks an independent body to evaluate the expenses associated with political parties' election pledges. Consequently, political entities are free to make promises without facing independent evaluation. To differentiate Bersama's approach from others, the party intends to publish its first set of policy papers, entitled Kertas Kancil, beginning September 27.

These papers will delve into structural economic, political, and social challenges and present solutions that Rafizi believes will set Bersama apart from other political parties. The party anticipates that its method will inspire other parties to compete based on tangible policies and solutions, rather than relying on factors such as racial or religious sentiments. The 2027 federal budget is set to be presented in Parliament on October 9.