Budget 2027 draws positive response from ministers over focus on living costs, wages and public services

Budget 2027 has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from Cabinet ministers, who praised its emphasis on addressing living costs, raising wages, and improving public services. Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted that the budget reflects public input gathered during nationwide engagement sessions, particularly focusing on rising living costs and the need for better wages.

The government aims to ensure the benefits of economic growth are distributed among ordinary Malaysians, he explained. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as Finance Minister, presented the budget, underscoring its focus on boosting household disposable income and supporting middle-income earners alongside ongoing economic reforms.

Among the key measures introduced are an increase in the minimum wage to RM2,000 per month, higher starting pay for graduates and skilled workers, tax relief for middle-income earners, and expanded cash assistance programs. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi welcomed the budget's focus on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), which he believed would help address financial pressures on the M40 group and improve employment prospects for skilled workers.

Zahid noted that the RM8 billion allocated for TVET would expand training in specialized fields such as robotics, enhancing workers' employability. He also commended provisions for higher wages for skilled individuals.

Other ministers echoed the sentiment, with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi highlighting the RM12.68 billion allocation to the Works Ministry, which will focus on delivering meaningful benefits to target groups. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil welcomed measures supporting the M40 and B40 groups, as well as the local film industry and digital infrastructure investments.

Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad welcomed the RM47.7 billion allocation, praising the budget's provision for over 9,000 permanent positions for contract doctors and increased payments for paramedics and nurses. He also highlighted RM1.2 billion for maintaining and repairing public healthcare facilities. Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi welcomed the increased funding for infrastructure and smaller contractors, despite a relatively modest 1.78% increase in overall allocation.