Malaysia unveils RM459.8 billion budget focused on living costs and wages
publishers 26articles 78first reported 4 Oct, 08:17 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 25 editions
Malaysia unveiled a RM459.8 billion (US$112.6 billion) federal budget for 2027, increasing spending from a revised RM444.1 billion in 2026 while seeking to narrow the fiscal deficit.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as finance minister, said the plan should be judged on whether more people can “live with dignity.” The budget allocates RM376.8 billion for operating expenses and RM83 billion for development, largely infrastructure, as the government forecasts slower economic growth and higher inflation next year.
Measures include raising the minimum wage to RM2,000 a month, setting higher entry-level pay floors for graduates and semi-skilled workers, providing tax relief for middle-income earners and expanding direct cash assistance. The government also retained fuel subsidies and allocated RM8 billion to technical and vocational education and training, including programmes in specialised fields such as robotics.
Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the package reflected feedback gathered through nationwide consultations, particularly concerns about living costs and wages. Cabinet ministers also highlighted support for lower- and middle-income households, digital infrastructure and the local film industry.
Banks and research institutions broadly welcomed the balance between household assistance, investment and fiscal discipline. Moody’s Ratings said additional support and pre-election spending pressure could slow fiscal consolidation, but expected the government to maintain its medium-term target of reducing the deficit to 3 per cent of gross domestic product.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 127 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 26
- Source articles
- 78
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 7
- This version written
- 127 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →