The success of Budget 2027 should be measured by how effectively it raises incomes, creates quality jobs and eases the cost of living, says Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Samsuri, who is also the Kemaman MP and Terengganu menteri besar, said the RM459.8 billion budget represented a substantial spending commitment, but rising debt servicing costs made it necessary to improve spending efficiency.
Of the total allocation, RM376.8 billion is for operating expenditure, while RM83 billion is set aside for development expenditure.
Samsuri calls for stronger fiscal discipline
‘With debt service charges reaching RM61 billion, fiscal discipline and spending efficiency need to be further strengthened to ensure the country’s long-term financial capability,’ he said in a statement today.
He said the additional RM50.2 billion in investments and funding from government-linked entities and public-private partnerships also required close monitoring to ensure economic benefits and financial commitments were evaluated transparently.
Aid welcomed, but incomes remain a priority
Samsuri welcomed the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rakyat (SARA) assistance schemes, as well as measures to raise workers’ incomes.
‘However, the long-term priority must be to raise people’s purchasing power, provide commensurate job opportunities and strengthen local enterprises,’ he said.
Under Budget 2027, all STR recipients will receive SARA assistance of up to RM150 a month, or RM1,800 a year.
The overall allocation for STR and SARA has been increased to RM16 billion for 2027, compared with RM15 billion previously.
Minimum wage to rise to RM2,000
The government also announced that the minimum wage would increase from RM1,700 to RM2,000 a month from June 2027, benefiting more than four million workers.
