Easing burdens: Anwar tabling Budget 2026 in Dewan Rakyat. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Improving governance, ending leakages and implementing targeted subsidies are how money should be raised for additional spending, rather than imposing new taxes, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that traditionally, when additional finances were required for infrastructure or social aid, new taxes were imposed.
“But this government chose to improve governance and implement targeted subsidies without adding burden on the people.
“This approach has enabled us to combat corruption, curb smuggling and dismantle cartels,” he said in his opening speech when tabling the Supply Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat.
Since his administration began, enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com-mission (MACC), police, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Customs Department and Malay-sian Competition Commission have successfully seized assets and collected penalties amounting to nearly RM15.5bil, highlighted Anwar.
“Recently, the police managed to dismantle an organised syndicate in Penang and Port Klang.
“This reflects the meaning behind our emphasis on governance and integrity,” he said.
Next year, the capabilities of enforcement agencies, such as the MACC and police, will be enhan-ced through training and acquisition of assets with an allocation of over RM700mil.
Anwar said Budget 2026 proves that the government is committed to a path of comprehensive national rejuvenation and renewal.
The Prime Minister said the Budget – the fourth by this administration – tackles current economic challenges and charts a course to prevent decline and excess.“We reject the culture of unchecked debt accumulation, fight against leakages and corruption, and condemn the lavishness of the elite funded by the suffering of the people.
“We have chosen the long, difficult and winding road – that of reform, strict fiscal discipline and institutional strengthening, because only this path can ensure the country benefits in the long term,” he said.
This Budget, he added, also marks the opening chapter of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which serves not just as an annual financial blueprint but as a historic compass guiding Malaysia into the future era.
He added that subsidies should be a right and privilege exclusively enjoyed by Malaysians since blanket subsidies have long been misused, benefiting foreigners and large corporations.
“Thanks to savings from diesel subsidy rationalisation, we have been able to ease the people’s burden through initiatives like Sara,” he said, adding that overall subsidy rationalisation is expected to save the country around RM15.5bil annually.
These savings mean more funds can be channelled towards rakyat-focused initiatives, enhancing social welfare, increasing allocations to ease the cost of living, and investing in better-quality infrastructure that benefits all Malaysians, he explained.
During his speech, Anwar also spoke in Mandarin, quoting a classical saying of the Chinese civilisation, which means “in times of peace, be prepared for adversity and danger”.“This profound philosophy from the great historical work Zuo Zhuan, on the Spring and Autumn Annals, reminds us that wise governance demands preparedness, not negligence; and that stability is only assured when accompanied by an awareness of the nation’s vulnerability should it become complacent or careless,” he said.When announcing a 50% toll discount in conjunction with the Deepavali holiday, the Prime Mi-nister quoted Thirukurral, a classic Tamil philosophical work, saying “hardship and ease come and go, yet steadfastness of conscience is the highest beacon of human dignity”.
In line with the theme “The People’s Budget”, after boldly embracing reform, Anwar said it is time to return the benefits to the people.
For 2026, he said the economy is expected to grow between 4% and 4.5%, in light of persistent global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
This is on the back of an “encouraging” 4.4% growth recorded in the first half of 2025 amid the US tariff wars.
The GDP for 2025 has been revised to 4-4.8%, which Anwar said is a sign that the economy remains resilient.
