PUTRAJAYA: University students and higher education institutions will be among the key priorities in Budget 2027, which is currently being finalised, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said Budget 2027 would cover various sectors and segments of society, including farmers, fishermen and the Orang Asli, as well as technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
"God willing, university students and universities will certainly also be included (in the Budget). Hopefully, I will be able to deliver what I can within the limitations," he said in his speech at the Tokoh Siswa Negara Awards ceremony here on Thursday (Oct 1).
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, his deputy Adam Adli Abd Halim and Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the preparation of Budget 2027 required careful consideration of requests from thousands of associations, hundreds of departments and dozens of ministries
"Everything is reasonable and rational. From the paddy fields in Kedah, fishermen in Terengganu, the Orang Asli, Iban longhouses in Sarawak, technology and AI, all are demanding attention," he said.
He said his busy schedule finalising Budget 2027 had forced him to cancel almost all events scheduled for this week, except for certain events, including Formula 1 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
"I cancelled all the events, but I decided to proceed with tonight's event. For the university students, I felt that I wanted to attend," he said.
Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 9. It will be the fifth Madani Budget, aimed at continuing to reap the benefits of the Madani Economy Framework in steering Malaysia.
As the second Budget under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), it will continue to pursue the three pillars of the Madani Economy, namely Raising the Ceiling to drive national growth, Raising the Floor to improve the people's well-being and Driving Governance Reform in the administration of the country. – Bernama
