PAS digesa bentang pelan ekonomi negara menjelang Belanjawan 2027

PAS, led by its leader Hadi Awang, is urged to outline its own national economic plan ahead of the 2027 budget to enable voters to assess its performance based on the state's record in governing Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah. The move comes as PAS seeks to use the pre-budget period to showcase a comprehensive economic plan, rather than merely highlighting fiscal pressure faced by Putrajaya.

Mazlan Ali, a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, argues that PAS should play a more assertive role by researching budgets and presenting fact-based arguments, research, and alternative proposals. He emphasizes that this is crucial given PAS's status as the largest opposition party in the Dewan Rakyat.

Mazlan also suggests that PAS could strengthen its case by highlighting achievements in the four SG4 states, including addressing constraints faced by the federal government in various sectors such as budget allocations, housing, and youth employment. He believes that PAS members like Ahli Parlimen Bachok Syahir Sulaiman should advocate for the government to tackle seven key economic realities in the 2027 budget, including fiscal space constraints, pressure on living costs, job losses, low wages, challenges for small businesses, and youth dependency on jobs.

Economist Harridon Suffian of Universiti Kuala Lumpur Business School notes that while PAS has achieved notable successes in some areas, there are disparities in performance across the SG4 states. He points to Terengganu's development through Terengganu Incorporated, which diversified investments in sectors like petrochemicals and hospitality, as a case in point. However, Harridon also highlights the need for stronger efforts in Kelantan and Perlis to attract investment and diversify their economic base.

If successful, Harridon believes that the SG4 model could bolster PAS's argument that it can lead more responsible development, including for states with fewer resources or less investment interest. Mazlan acknowledges PAS's potential appeal among Malay voters, but stresses that credibility depends on PAS's ability to move beyond criticism to present a viable national economic plan.