Belanjawan 2027 bukti komitmen kerajaan ringankan beban M40, kata Zahid

On the day of the 2027 budget announcement, the Deputy Prime Minister, Zahid Hamidi, acknowledged the government's commitment to addressing the concerns of Malaysian citizens, particularly those with lower incomes (M40). The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the new budget would likely alleviate the financial burden faced by this group due to high financial commitments. He stated, "For a long time, their excess income and buying power have been under pressure due to high commitments."

Earlier, the Prime Minister announced an increase in the individual tax rebate exemption from RM9,000 to RM12,000, benefiting the M40 group. Zahid also welcomed the proposed RM2,000 minimum wage increase effective June 2027, along with the exemption of small, medium, and micro enterprises (PMKS) with annual sales under RM50 million from the new tax rate to allow for business adaptation. He also highlighted the importance of higher wages for graduates and skilled individuals.

Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, emphasized that the budget focuses on increasing exports, including the development of PMKS and local business capabilities. He added that these efforts will be coordinated with his role as the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Entrepreneur Development. Regarding the Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah (KKDW) ministry fund, Zahid appreciated the increase of RM281.08 million (2.27%) from RM12.40 billion this year to RM12.68 billion.

He mentioned that ongoing programs and high-impact initiatives will be given attention, including those benefiting the Orang Asli community.

In terms of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Zahid stated that funds will be provided to strengthen the development of skilled manpower to meet industry needs. "Through the TVET Council, we will focus on high TVET and incorporate robotics to create job opportunities, and we will add relevant courses to improve graduates' employability," he said. He added that rural infrastructure development and halal industry development will also be prioritized in the coming year.