PUTRAJAYA Aug 18 2026 — Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday wrapped up a major stakeholder engagement session for the 2027 federal budget, emphasising that economic reforms and new investments must go hand-in-hand with efforts to ease inequality, poverty and the rising cost of living.
Nearly 400 representatives from government agencies, the private sector, industry, academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society groups and international organisations took part in the Majlis Libat Urus Belanjawan 2027. The session, chaired by Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, forms a key part of preparations for the fifth MADANI Budget, scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 9.
In a statement posted after the event, Anwar expressed deep appreciation to all participants. “You brought the voices, concerns and hopes of various segments of society. The suggestions and constructive criticism put forward will help us shape a MADANI Budget that truly addresses the people’s issues,” he said.
He stressed the need to continue economic reforms and accelerate technology adoption and new investments so that Malaysia does not fall behind. At the same time, he cautioned against becoming complacent with macro-level growth figures.
“Growth numbers and macroeconomic achievements must not make us overlook the gaps, poverty and cost-of-living pressures that still burden some of our people,” Anwar said. “While we reach for the sky, we must remain rooted to the ground and listen to the pulse of the people at the grassroots.”
Every view shared during the consultation will be carefully studied before the budget is finalised, he added.
The engagement session is aligned with the theme of Budget 2027 — “Malaysia MADANI: Menggapai di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi” (Reaching for the Sky, Rooted to the Earth) — and the three pillars of the MADANI Economy: raising the ceiling of national growth, lifting the floor of people’s well-being, and driving governance reforms.
The Ministry of Finance has also released a Pre-Budget Statement outlining 10 focus areas, including measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, strengthen social protection, improve education and healthcare, boost business competitiveness, and enhance food security and economic resilience. Members of the public can still submit their views through the official Budget 2027 consultation portal.
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