PETALING JAYA, October 8 2026 — PAS has been urged to use the lead-up to Budget 2027 to present a comprehensive economic plan for the country instead of merely highlighting the fiscal challenges faced by the federal government.
An academic said the opposition party should put forward clear policies and alternative proposals that would allow voters to assess its economic vision and compare it with the party’s record in the states it governs.
He said PAS lawmakers should play a stronger role in scrutinising the national budget and support their arguments with facts, research and practical alternatives.
The call comes after a PAS lawmaker highlighted seven economic realities that should be addressed in Budget 2027, including limited fiscal space, rising living costs, job losses, low wages, pressures faced by small businesses and young people’s growing dependence on gig work.
Despite stronger economic indicators, including six per cent growth in the second quarter and approved investments of RM218.5 billion in the first half of the year, concerns remain over whether economic gains are translating into better living standards for ordinary Malaysians.
The academic said PAS should also explain what it would do differently if given the opportunity to govern at the federal level.
He said the party, which has the largest number of MPs from a single opposition party, should have a clearly defined national economic agenda if it wants to demonstrate that it is ready to form the federal government.
Meanwhile, an economist said the economic performance of PAS-led states under the SG4 grouping — Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu — has been mixed, with some states recording progress in selected sectors while others continue to face challenges in attracting investment and diversifying their economies.
Terengganu has developed several economic activities through its state investment arm, while Kedah has benefited from the development of the Kulim Hi-Tech Park and investments in the semiconductor and electrical and electronics sectors.
Kelantan and Perlis, however, still require stronger efforts to attract investors and broaden their economic bases.
The economist said stronger economic links among the four states would be important to ensure that growth in more developed areas generates wider benefits across the region.
The academic added that PAS’ influence among Malay voters gives the party an opportunity to strengthen its position on economic issues, but its credibility would ultimately depend on whether it can move beyond criticism and present a practical national economic plan that voters can evaluate against its record in the SG4 states.
Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, Oct 9.
-Bernama
