Belanjawan 2027 hasil pengurusan baik, penjimatan dipulangkan kepada rakyat

Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that the 2027 budget represents the country's good financial management, with savings now being returned to the people, not just benefiting certain groups. He emphasized that the government must first address the country's financial priorities before being able to offer more to the populace.

Anwar questioned why they couldn't have done this two years ago, stating that issues should be resolved in order of importance, starting with the most critical matters. The key is to save money, avoid overspending, and prevent wastage. With the accumulated savings, the government can now return the benefits to the people, rather than giving them solely to ministers.

He added that good financial management allows various welfare initiatives to be implemented gradually based on the country's financial capacity. Previously, the government needed to focus on managing debt and urgent needs, including school facilities and accommodations for military and police personnel. The successful savings achieved now give the government a little more room to increase assistance to the people, but this effort must be coupled with continued financial discipline.

Anwar announced benefits for the people in the 2027 budget announcement, including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) allocations for 2027, which increased to RM16 billion from RM15 billion. All STR recipients will receive SARA of up to RM150 per month or RM1,800 annually. Additionally, Malaysians aged 18 and above who are not STR recipients will also receive the MADANI SARA amounting to RM100 twice, before Eid al-Fitr and to celebrate Malaysia's 70th anniversary of independence.

Both benefits are expected to benefit up to nine million STR recipients and 13 million Malaysians, including middle-income earners (M40). The Basic School Assistance will be increased to RM200 from RM150 this year, with RM1 billion allocated for 5.3 million students. The government will also provide one-time financial assistance of RM1,000 to 38,000 motorcycle taxi drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers, as well as the proceeds from the special H number registration, all to be disbursed in the coming week as part of returning the benefits to the people.