Malaysia to Review Public Feedback Before Finalising Budget 2027, Anwar Says

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 – The Malaysian government will carefully evaluate feedback from different segments of society before finalising Budget 2027, as it seeks to balance economic transformation with the everyday concerns of Malaysians.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would continue listening to the public and studying the views presented during the Budget 2027 Engagement Session before determining the final direction of the country’s next federal budget.

Anwar said participants brought forward the voices, concerns and aspirations of different sections of society, with their suggestions and criticism expected to help shape a MADANI Budget that responds more effectively to issues affecting the public.

The Budget 2027 Engagement Session brought together nearly 400 representatives from various sectors, providing the government with a broad range of perspectives as it begins shaping the fifth MADANI Budget.

Participants included representatives from government agencies, the private sector and industries, academia, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and international organisations.

The diverse participation is intended to ensure that the budget-planning process takes into consideration not only government priorities but also concerns raised by businesses, communities, researchers and other stakeholders.

Anwar expressed appreciation to those who participated and contributed proposals during the consultation process.

One of the central messages from the Prime Minister was that Malaysia’s economic reform agenda must continue.

Anwar stressed that the country must accelerate the adoption of technology and encourage new investment if it wants to remain competitive in an increasingly challenging global economy.

The emphasis on investment and technology reflects the government’s broader objective of strengthening Malaysia’s economic competitiveness and creating new sources of growth.

Rather than relying solely on existing industries, Budget 2027 is expected to be shaped around policies that can support a more productive and competitive economy while ensuring the benefits of development reach a broader section of society.

Despite the focus on economic expansion, Anwar cautioned that strong headline indicators should not cause policymakers to overlook challenges still affecting Malaysian households.

He highlighted inequality, poverty and cost-of-living pressures as issues that continue to burden some segments of the population.

The Prime Minister indicated that positive economic and macroeconomic achievements should ultimately translate into meaningful improvements in people’s daily lives.

This means the preparation of Budget 2027 will need to strike a balance between supporting economic growth and ensuring that households facing financial pressure are not left behind.

Cost-of-living pressures are expected to remain an important consideration as the government evaluates proposals for the upcoming budget.

For many households, changes in prices, income and daily expenses can have a more immediate impact than headline economic statistics.

Anwar’s remarks suggest that Budget 2027 will continue to examine how national economic policies can be aligned with measures that improve household resilience, reduce inequality and strengthen opportunities for lower- and middle-income Malaysians.

The final details, however, have yet to be determined, with the government still in the consultation and assessment stage.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the need for Malaysia to move faster in technology and new investment.

As regional economies compete for capital, innovation and high-value industries, Malaysia faces increasing pressure to strengthen productivity and ensure its investment environment remains competitive.

Anwar said these areas must continue to be driven forward so that the country does not fall behind.

The approach signals that Budget 2027 could play an important role in supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a higher-value economy while maintaining attention on social and household challenges.

The latest engagement session forms part of the government’s consultation process before Budget 2027 is completed.

Rather than finalising policies solely within government institutions, the administration is collecting recommendations and criticism from a range of stakeholders before deciding which measures should ultimately be incorporated into the budget.

Anwar said each view would be examined, reinforcing the government’s commitment to continue listening to what he described as the pulse of the people.

With almost 400 representatives participating in the latest engagement session, Budget 2027 is being developed against a backdrop of competing priorities — sustaining economic reforms, attracting investment, accelerating technology adoption and ensuring growth does not overlook Malaysians still struggling with poverty, inequality and rising living costs.

The final shape of Budget 2027 will therefore depend on how the government translates those consultations into specific fiscal policies and allocations in the months ahead.