Financial assistance and other benefits announced in Budget 2027 could improve public sentiment towards Pakatan Harapan (PH), but may not necessarily translate into votes at the next general election (GE16), analysts say.
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said public sentiment could change depending on the cost of living, economic performance, leadership integrity and political developments.
“In politics, appreciation for government policies does not necessarily mean loyalty to the ruling party,” he told FMT.
He said Barisan Nasional (BN) had introduced similar initiatives while in government, including BR1M cash aid, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia groceries and one-stop urban transformation centres.
“But it did not guarantee the people’s support, and it even lost the general election,” he said, referring to BN’s defeat in 2018, when the coalition lost federal power for the first time.
Budget benefits may not guarantee votes
Although Budget 2027 is a government initiative, the Finance Ministry is headed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PH chairman.
With the next general election due by February 2028, Budget 2027 could be Anwar’s final budget before voters head to the polls if he calls an early election.
Described by some as an “election budget”, it provides for RM460 billion in expenditure, an increase of almost 10% from the 2026 budget.
The budget also includes a range of measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and boosting disposable incomes.
Assistance could provide temporary boost
Tawfik Yaakub, also of Universiti Malaya, said the measures could increase support for the government, particularly among direct recipients, but the effect might be temporary if households continued to face cost-of-living pressures.
“I expect those in the B40 low-income group, civil servants, government pensioners, young voters and families with school-going children to respond most positively,” he said.
“This is because the announced benefits address their day-to-day financial needs. However, receiving assistance does not automatically translate into political support.”
Tawfik said government supporters might view the measures as evidence that the administration cared about the people, while critics might regard them as a political strategy ahead of GE16.
“Ultimately, public perceptions will depend on the transparency of implementation and the extent to which people genuinely feel the benefits,” he said.
He added that the measures could also attract some fence-sitters, but their response would depend on broader economic conditions, including prices, wages and job opportunities.
