BANGI: The Madani government is prioritising efforts to address the cost of living and improve the ease of doing business, alongside ensuring continued economic stability, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said these priorities were central to ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible benefits for the people, following what he described as 38 months of political and administrative stability under the Madani administration.
“The priority is not only to ensure that the national economy remains on the right track, but also to address issues faced by the people, particularly the cost of living and the ease of doing business.
“Making it easier for business activities to be carried out has become a key focus,” he said on Sunday (Jan 11).
He said effective government communication was also crucial to ensure that the so-called “stability dividend” resulting from sustained political stability could be clearly seen and felt by the public.
Fahmi pointed to several positive economic indicators, including a stronger ringgit, rising investments and unemployment at its lowest level in 14 years, as evidence that the country was on the right path.
“We also discussed the need to ensure that the outcomes of policies that have helped strengthen the economy are ultimately translated into real benefits and returned to the people,” he said.
Fahmi was speaking to reporters after the 2026 Madani Government Retreat, a one-and-a-half-day Cabinet offsite which he described as unprecedented in both scale and significance.
The retreat was attended by the Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, as well as menteri besar and chief ministers from unity state governments, except for Johor.
“All Cabinet ministers were present, as were the premiers, chief ministers and mentri besar, except for Johor, who was unable to attend,” he said.
He said the retreat saw open and productive discussions on policy implementation, government communication and ministerial performance, calling it a strong signal of unity between the federal government and state administrations.
Following the retreat, Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had instructed that the outcomes of the discussions be translated into a series of programmes to be implemented in the near term.
“This gives confidence to Cabinet members that the direction of the Madani government for the remaining period of less than two years is very clear, highly focused and will prioritise outcomes for the people,” he said.
