SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — Budget 2027 will focus on protecting Malaysians’ purchasing power while strengthening household incomes and financial resilience amid cost-of-living pressures, said Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the government would adopt a balanced approach, with short-term measures including the continued implementation of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) and BUDI Madani initiatives.
“At the same time, measures to stabilise the prices of essential goods will continue through the Jualan Rahmah Madani programme, ongoing enforcement and strategic supply management,” he said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.
He was responding to Beaufort MP Datuk Siti Aminah Aching, who asked about fiscal measures under Budget 2027 to ease the cost-of-living burden on low- and middle-income groups, particularly in relation to food, transport, housing and utilities.
Anwar said Budget 2027 would also strengthen social protection for self-employed, gig, informal and vulnerable workers through initiatives including i-Saraan, i-Saraan Plus and i-Suri.
He said i-Saraan would encourage self-employed individuals and those without fixed incomes to make voluntary retirement contributions, while i-Saraan Plus would help gig workers, including e-hailing and p-hailing workers, build their retirement savings.
“Priority will also be given to efforts to expand protection to informal workers, gig workers and vulnerable groups so that more people receive adequate social safety nets throughout their life cycle.”
To ensure assistance reaches those most in need, Anwar said the government would improve the targeting of subsidies and social assistance through comprehensive data and clear eligibility criteria.
The prime minister added that beyond assistance and subsidies, Budget 2027 would prioritise raising household incomes and creating quality jobs through progressive wage initiatives, high-skilled employment opportunities and community income-generation programmes.
“This approach is important to reduce the people’s dependence on assistance and strengthen more sustainable sources of income.”
He said the government would also focus on housing affordability, public transport, urban liveability and inclusive development, particularly in Sabah, Sarawak, rural areas and the interior.
Budget 2027, scheduled to be tabled tomorrow evening, will be the fifth budget under the Madani government and the second under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
