PAS told to present national economic plan ahead of Budget 2027

Analysts are urging the opposition party PAS to create a detailed national economic plan ahead of the 2027 Budget, rather than merely emphasizing the financial challenges faced by the federal government. PAS holds the largest single bloc in the Dewan Rakyat, making it the dominant opposition voice. According to Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, PAS MPs should step up their role by scrutinizing the budget and proposing alternative solutions based on research and facts.

This is crucial as PAS can demonstrate a better approach to voters. The party could highlight its successes in the SG4 states—Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu—and explain the constraints faced by these states in areas reliant on federal allocations and national investment policies. Syahir Sulaiman, a PAS MP, has called for the government to address seven economic issues in Budget 2027, including limited fiscal space, cost-of-living pressures, job losses, low wages, challenges for small businesses, and the reliance of the youth on gig work.

However, the economic improvements in the second quarter of the year have not yet translated into better living standards for Malaysians. PAS would strengthen its arguments if it presented what it would do differently at the national level, as it has the potential to govern in the future. The SG4 bloc, comprising 5.7 million people across 32 districts, faces mixed economic performance.

While there are notable achievements in some areas, such as Terengganu's diversification into plantations, healthcare, property, and hospitality, there is uneven progress across the bloc. Terengganu's success with Terengganu Incorporated and its subsidiaries is cited as a positive example. Kedah's Kulim Hi-Tech Park is also highlighted as a promising sector with major investments.

However, Kelantan and Perlis require stronger measures to attract investors and expand their economic base. PAS, especially among Malay voters, has the platform to make a significant impact on economic issues. The party's credibility will depend on its ability to move from criticism to presenting a national plan that voters can compare to its record in governing the SG4 states.