PUTRAJAYA, October 10 2026,, Savings from improved financial management and efforts to curb wastage and leakages have given the government greater capacity to expand assistance to Malaysians under Budget 2027, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government had prioritised addressing the country’s financial challenges and urgent needs before increasing allocations for public assistance.
Speaking at the Special Madani Budget 2027 interview today, he said financial discipline was essential to ensure public funds were managed responsibly and the resulting savings could be channelled back to the people.
He said improved governance had enabled the government to introduce various initiatives, including assistance for rubber smallholders, padi farmers and schoolchildren.
Anwar added that previous priorities included managing national debt, improving school facilities and providing housing for military and police personnel.
However, he stressed that efforts to expand assistance must be accompanied by continued action to prevent wastage and financial leakages.
Under Budget 2027, the government has increased allocations for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) to RM16 billion, compared with RM15 billion previously.
All STR recipients will receive up to RM150 monthly, or RM1,800 annually. Malaysians aged 18 and above who do not receive STR will also receive RM100 in Madani SARA assistance twice a year, ahead of Aidilfitri and in conjunction with National Day.
The initiatives are expected to benefit up to nine million STR recipients and 13 million Malaysians, including those in the middle-income group.
Early Schooling Aid has also been increased from RM150 to RM200 per student, with an allocation of RM1 billion expected to benefit 5.3 million students.
In addition, the government will provide one-off financial assistance of RM1,000 to 38,000 taxi and rental car drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers nationwide. Funded through revenue from the sale of special ‘H’ registration plates, the payments are scheduled for next week.
Anwar said the government would continue returning the benefits of improved financial management to the people while maintaining fiscal discipline.
-MalayMail
