PETALING JAYA: Cheaper groceries, lower income tax and aid for the M40 group - these are what most people want in the soon-to-be tabled Budget 2027.
This is according to feedback from readers in a survey by The Star that ran for two weeks from Sept 23 to yesterday (Oct 7).
The poll asked readers what they wanted to see in the Budget 2027, expected to be tabled in Parliament at 3.30pm tomorrow (Oct 9) by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister.
The survey, which drew 700 responses, asked participants six questions on various topics ranging from cost of living, tax reliefs to healthcare.
For each question, readers were asked to either choose one option or fill out their own answer.
Here’s a look at how readers responded:
To tackle the cost of living, most people want lower income tax or higher tax reliefs, with 40% of readers voting for this option.
Another 27% wished for cheaper essential items like food while 12% wanted lower electricity and utility costs.
A respondent said the individual income tax relief threshold of RM9,000 should be increased to RM12,000, while another quipped that the rate has been the same for what felt like “forever”.
The top type of household expense that readers felt should be given relief was groceries and other essential items.
Some 32% of respondents called for the prices to be lowered, followed by 21% who wanted healthcare and medical costs to be cut.
Some respondents also called for more subsidies to be given for diesel, while others lamented the high cost of electricity.
“Electricity has become a burden to families,” the reader said, adding that Malaysia should have more companies providing power to increase competitiveness.
When it comes to tax reliefs, most or 40% of respondents said personal income tax rates should be slashed.
Another 30% called for existing tax reliefs for dependents, medical and lifestyle expenses to be increased.
On healthcare, some 25% or the majority of readers pushed for more affordable health insurance and medical protection.
Shorter waiting times at government hospitals and clinics came at a close second, with 22% voting for this option.
Others called for better remuneration for healthcare workers, while some suggested more government hospitals be set up nationwide.
“Private healthcare by big companies only caters to the wealthy.
“Other Malaysians, when aged, will not be able to afford decent health support,” one respondent said.
Asked about how to make housing more affordable, readers wanted higher housing-related tax relief and more affordable houses near public transport and jobs.
Some also highlighted the oversupply of housing, while another suggested that incentives should also extend to those who buy second-hand homes.
On which group needs more support in Budget 2027, a resounding 37% of respondents pointed to the middle income group or M40 households facing rising costs, followed by families with children (17%).
Some 11% voted for those caring for elderly or special-needs family members, tied with another 11% who chose the low income group or B40.
Others called for more assistance for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
What else did you want from the Budget 2027? Check out the other responses from our poll here:
