{
  "id": 2711498,
  "title": "Budget 2027: Cost of living to take centre stage as government weighs global risks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/budget-2027-cost-of-living-to-take-centre-stage-as-government-weighs",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-23T03:57:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/126480/budget-2027-cost-of-living-to-take-centre-stage-as-government-weighs-global-risks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Budget 2027 will place a significant emphasis on addressing the cost of living concerns faced by Malaysian households, as the government prepares measures to tackle rising expenses amid a volatile global geopolitical landscape. The Madani government is set to take into account external developments, particularly fluctuations in global crude oil prices, when formulating its budget priorities. Fahmi Fadzil, the spokesman for the Madani government and Communications Minister, emphasized that ensuring comprehensive solutions for the people's cost-of-living issues will be a central focus of Budget 2027, taking into account the unresolved geopolitical situation.\n\nFahmi, who also serves as Communications Minister, stated that factors such as crude oil prices, typically serving as benchmarks, will be among the considerations in the upcoming budget. This suggests that the government will prioritize projects capable of delivering immediate benefits to households and communities, alongside longer-term economic initiatives aimed at resolving problems faced by the people in the shortest possible time.\n\nIn addition to addressing cost-of-living pressures, the government will continue its efforts to attract both domestic and international investment while supporting the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan. Fahmi highlighted expanding internet access as a priority, particularly in remote areas, to improve connectivity and provide underserved communities with better access to digital services. The Communications Ministry is also exploring media sustainability issues and incentives to attract more international events and film productions to Malaysia, with initiatives such as CIME and FIMI being discussed in relation to attracting more investors.",
  "summary": "EASING the financial strain on Malaysian households is expected to be a key focus of Budget 2027, as the government prepares measures to address cost-of-living pressures amid an unsettled global geopolitical environment. Madani Government spokesman D...",
  "key_points": [
    "Cost of living to be primary focus of Budget 2027",
    "Crude oil prices to influence budget priorities",
    "Improving internet access in remote areas emphasized"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's focus on addressing cost-of-living concerns in Budget 2027 signals a shift towards prioritizing household relief and immediate economic benefits amid global uncertainty.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Budget 2027 To Focus On Addressing Cost-of-living Issues, Attracting Investment - Fahmi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/general-budget-2027-to-focus-on-addressing-cost-of-living-issues",
        "published": "2026-08-23T01:34:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "2027 budget to focus on cost of living and investments, says Fahmi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/2027-budget-to-focus-on-cost-of-living-and-investments-says-fahmi",
        "published": "2026-08-23T03:18:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Budget 2027 to focus on cost‑of‑living issues and attracting investment, says Fahmi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/budget-2027-to-focus-on-cost-of-living-issues-and-attracting",
        "published": "2026-08-23T03:18:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Fahmi: 2027 Budget to put greater focus on cost of living",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/fahmi-2027-budget-to-put-greater-focus-on-cost-of-living",
        "published": "2026-08-23T03:45:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}