PETALING JAYA: The true measure of the national spending plan lies in how it benefits the people, not in the size of its allocation or the number of announcements it contains, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The budget should not be measured by the thickness of the documents, the size of its allocations or the number of announcements it contains,” he said when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 9).
“Its true measure is far more fundamental. It is whether more people can live with dignity, and whether the Malaysia we eventually pass on to the next generation will be fairer than the Malaysia we inherited.
“If the answer is yes, then that is genuine transformation and progress,” he added.
Describing Budget 2027 as a national commitment to the future, Anwar said economic strength must translate into better lives for Malaysians.
He said economic growth must be inclusive, while reforms should help restore confidence.
“Today, these are the tests and challenges we face. The world is becoming increasingly turbulent. Wars, rivalry between major powers and climate change are affecting food prices and energy costs.
“Supply chains that we have long regarded as robust are beginning to fray and weaken, putting food security and the reliability of supplies to the test. Developments in artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming trade, energy, employment and our daily lives,” he said.
However, Anwar said major changes also presented opportunities for countries that were prepared to adapt, develop new capabilities and equip their people with the necessary skills.
He said Malaysia should not merely cope with these changes, but take advantage of emerging opportunities.
“We must have the confidence to help shape it. Before us lies an opportunity to make significant strides in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, new energy, the digital economy and high-value industries; to raise productivity and wages; to strengthen domestic enterprises; and to ensure that Malaysians are not merely consumers of change, but creators of progress themselves,” he said.
Anwar added that a successful economy should not only be measured by growth, but also by whether it improves the everyday lives of Malaysians.
