PETALING JAYA: More places for top students, home care subsidies for families with bedridden seniors and bigger voluntary contributions to Employees Provident Fund (EPF) accounts with tax exemptions.
These are what most readers want from the upcoming national budget, according to the results of The Star's Budget 2026 poll.
The poll asked readers what measures they wished to see included in the budget, to be tabled on Friday (Oct 10).
The week-long survey, which drew 703 responses, asked participants five questions on various topics related to Budget 2026.
The topics are retirement savings, education, healthcare, ageing and supporting working mothers.
For each question, readers were asked to either choose one out of three options or fill out their own answer.
Here’s a look at the results of the poll:
Asked how the government can give better access to quality education for all Malaysian students, most or 53% of respondents said more places should be offered for top scorers to matriculation programmes.
They also wanted more high performing students to be given their first choice courses at public universities.
When it comes to the best way to strengthen retirement savings, a resounding 58% of readers wanted to be allowed higher voluntary EPF contributions with tax exemptions.
This is followed by 20% who suggested restricting pre-retirement EPF withdrawals to preserve savings while 16% wanted to raise the retirement age.
On helping mothers return to the workforce after giving birth, most readers (44%) wanted more incentives for companies which have on-site nurseries.
When it comes to improving healthcare, most or 34% of respondents wished for the spike in medical insurance premiums to be stemmed.
Another 32% wanted more doctors and nurses to be hired, while raising their salaries.
Reducing the wait times at government hospitals was the third most popular option with 27% answering this at the poll.
Apart from choosing between the options given for each question, many respondents also chose to provide their own answers to the questions.
On what elderly care measure should receive priority government funding in Budget 2026, most of the respondents who gave their own answers said there should be more affordable, better quality care homes for seniors.
Another respondent suggested that there should be a government-funded programme to send healthcare personnel on-demand to elderly citizens’ homes for medical and personal care.
“This would support aging-in-place, reduce hospital strain and relieve families from frequent transport duties,” the respondent said.
On the top priority for improving healthcare services, some respondents who provided their own replies suggested that hospital facilities and equipment be upgraded.
Others called for existing doctors and nurses to be retained, with many advocating for better salaries for them.
One respondent also urged for regulated hours to ensure the wellbeing of doctors and nurses, as extended shifts can lead to fatigue, impaired judgment, and higher risk of medical errors.
“Regulated hours ensure medical staff remain alert, focused, and able to provide safe, high-quality care.
“These limits also support staff wellbeing by reducing burnout, stress, and long-term health issues.
“By balancing workload and rest, healthcare systems strengthen patient safety, improve outcomes, and maintain a sustainable, resilient workforce,” the respondent said.
