Anwar to table Budget 2027 today, promising resilience, reforms and relief for Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, October 9 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as Finance Minister, is set to unveil Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat at 3:30 pm today. This will mark the fifth budget under his Madani Government, emphasizing the commitment to transform high value growth into equitable benefits for the populace while bolstering Malaysia's economic resilience.

The Budget 2027 presentation will be broadcast live on local television channels and social media, including Bernama TV, which will also air a special analysis programme at 8:30 pm tonight.

Budget 2027 is built on the robust foundation laid by previous budgets, following its formulation as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan. As the second budget under this plan, it aims to achieve the key Madani Economy pillars: increasing growth potential, elevating living standards, and implementing public administration reforms. The Finance Ministry highlighted Malaysia's economic resilience amidst global geopolitical uncertainties and disruptions to international supply chains, primarily due to fiscal consolidation and targeted subsidy rationalization.

For Budget 2027, the ministry has identified 10 critical areas of focus. These include narrowing regional disparities, alleviating the cost of living through targeted assistance like Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Budi Madani, strengthening the social safety net for gig workers, and preparing for the aging population by 2030. Other priorities include enhancing education and healthcare services, implementing technology-driven public sector transformation via Government Technology (GovTech), improving workers' welfare through fair wages, empowering local entrepreneurs through the 'Made by Malaysia' initiative, and high-value investments such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI).

Anwar expressed optimism that Budget 2027 would further fortify the nation's economic resilience, mitigate the cost-of-living challenges, generate additional opportunities, and ensure equitable development benefits for all segments of society. The Supply (Budget) Bill 2027 will undergo an eight-day debate in the policy stage, beginning next week, followed by a winding up process by relevant ministries from October 26 to 29.

The committee stage debate is scheduled from November 2 to 26, culminating in the Bill's passage in the Dewan Rakyat.