KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s imperative in the Budget 2027 cycle is no longer to generate growth, but to institutionalise growth stability – making expansion more productive, inclusive and resilient across the cycle, according to Juwai IQI global chief economist Shan Saeed.
Shan said the country has considerable macroeconomic momentum, as gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 6% year-on-year in the second quarter of financial year 2026, unemployment held at 3% in June, and inflation stayed contained at 1.8% in July.
Thus, he expected GDP for 2027 to meander between 5.3% and 6.5%, with solid macroeconomic stability and the growth calculus intact.
He said five priorities should anchor the fiscal architecture in Budget 2027.
“The first priority is to preserve fiscal credibility while safeguarding purchasing power. Targeted subsidy rationalisation should continue, with savings redeployed into healthcare, education, transport and vulnerable households,” he told Bernama.
Shan said that with household debt at 84.8% of GDP at end-2025, calibrated relief carries a stronger multiplier than broad consumption stimulus.
“The second priority is to deepen housing affordability,” he stressed.
According to Shan, roughly seven in ten subsale residential transactions involve homes priced at RM500,000 or below, per IQI’s market data. — Bernama
