The Malaysian government announced it will prioritize cost-of-living issues more comprehensively in Budget 2027. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said factors such as global geopolitical tensions and crude oil price fluctuations will be key considerations in shaping the budget [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Speaking on August 23, 2026, after launching the 2026 Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang X JAGO programme at Taman Seri Sentosa Market in Kuala Lumpur, Fahmi said the government aims to prioritise projects that resolve people’s problems swiftly [1, 2, 3, 5]. He explained, "Overall, I see that on behalf of the government, the focus in Budget 2027 will include ensuring that the people’s cost-of-living issues are addressed more comprehensively, taking into account the geopolitical situation, which remains unresolved at this time. So, factors such as crude oil prices, which are usually one of the benchmarks, will be among the considerations." [1]
Budget 2027 also plans to attract more domestic and international investment while supporting the 13th Malaysia Plan’s implementation [1, 2, 3, 5]. Fahmi highlighted incentives under discussion by the Communications Ministry to boost Malaysia’s appeal, including the Concerts and Events in Malaysia Incentive (CIME) and the Filming in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI). He said, "Perhaps incentives such as CIME and FIMI… both are capable of attracting more investors to Malaysia. So, these are currently being discussed at the Communications Ministry level and among the messages we have received from the Finance Ministry." [3]
The Communications Ministry will also focus on expanding internet access, especially in remote areas, while exploring media sustainability and attracting international events and film productions to Malaysia [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The 2026 Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang X JAGO programme launched today featured around 35 participants and 10 government vehicles engaging communities in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with patriotic songs and cultural performances [4].
Budget preparations will continue, considering the unsettled global geopolitical situation and market movements, with further details expected as the government finalizes the 2027 budget plan [1, 2, 3, 5].
