Budget 2027 Highlights

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The following are the highlights of Budget 2027, tabled by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Themed Menggapai di Langit, Mengakar Ke Bumi (Malaysia MADANI: Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Ground), it is the second budget under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026-2030 and the fifth under the MADANI Government.

• The government has allocated more than RM80 billion for subsidies, assistance and incentives next year, with fuel subsidies expected to remain at RM40 billion and the Social Welfare Department receiving nearly RM3.3 billion.
• The allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) will be increased to RM16 billion from RM15 billion.
• All STR recipients will receive Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance of up to RM150 a month, or RM1,800 a year, benefiting nine million people.
• Some 13 million Malaysians aged 18 and above, including those in the M40 income group, will receive RM100 in SARA assistance once before Aidilfitri and again in conjunction with 70th National Day.
• The SARA assistance can be used to purchase essential items at 216 farmers’ markets and tamu markets under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) nationwide.
• The government will increase the number of SARA business partners by 10,000 small sundry shops by the end of this year, adding to the current 15,000 participating outlets, which include 6,800 small sundry shops and cooperatives.
• A total of RM750 million has been allocated for the Jualan Rahmah and Jualan Agro MADANI programmes, with 35,000 sales events targeted next year.
• Some 30,000 Jualan Rahmah events will be held in all state constituencies, while the Jualan Rahmah MADANI Borong programme will also be organised to assist small traders.
• A total of 5,000 Jualan Agro MADANI events will be held next year, offering goods at prices up to 30 per cent lower than usual.
• The government has allocated RM250 million to facilitate the distribution of essential goods to rural and remote areas.
• The individual income tax relief limit will be increased to RM12,000 from RM9,000.
• Individual tax relief will be extended to cover the cost of postpartum care services and children's tuition fees.
• The minimum wage rate will be raised to RM2,000 from RM1,700, effective June 2027.
• The government and Grab have agreed to jointly fund a RM160 million package to increase the net income and improve the welfare of e-hailing and p-hailing workers from 2027.
• The government will provide a 35 per cent matching incentive for SOCSO contributions by e-hailing and p-hailing workers.
• The government will offer a 70 per cent matching incentive for SOCSO contributions, benefiting more than 200,000 self-employed individuals.
• The government will offer a 70 per cent matching incentive for SOCSO contributions to over 200,000 self-employed individuals.
• An additional tax relief of up to RM150 will be offered for voluntary contributions to the Skim Lindung 24 jam and lindung kendiri coverage.
• The government will offer EPF contribution matching of up to RM600 a year, or RM6,000 over a lifetime, to e-hailing and p-hailing drivers.
• BSN and Agrobank will set aside RM270 million in financing for gig workers to start a business or purchase their first home.
• Every citizen will be automatically registered as an EPF member upon turning 18 to strengthen social protection.
• A total of RM100 million has been allocated for the development of retention ponds and river maintenance to reduce flood risks in the Klang Valley.
• The government will begin planning for the Lebir Dam Project as a long-term solution to flooding and clean water supply issues in Kelantan.
• An Elevated Autonomous Rail Transit (e-ART) system will be implemented to ease traffic congestion in Johor Bahru.
• Sabah will receive an allocation of RM18.7 billion, while Sarawak will receive RM16.2 billion.
• Some 4,200 students from Sabah and Sarawak will have the opportunity to pursue higher education each year.
• A total of RM3.3 billion has been set aside for road projects in Sabah and Sarawak.
• The government has allocated RM350 million for federal road maintenance projects undertaken by G1 to G4 contractors in Sabah and Sarawak.
• Priority will be given to the conservation of the Dayabumi Complex, Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and KTMB Headquarters.
• Entertainment duty will be waived for arts, cultural, entertainment and sports events held at Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara.
• DBKL has allocated RM400 million to develop 48.56 hectares of new green spaces, rehabilitate existing parks, and upgrade facilities and public housing.
• A 40-hectare parcel of leased land in Bukit Kiara will be gazetted as a Federal Park for public use.
• DBKL will build a 22-kilometre covered walkway linking the National Mosque, Dataran Merdeka and Central Market (Pasar Seni).
• The allocation for rural road projects has been increased to RM2.3 billion from RM1.3 billion in 2022.
• A total of RM3.3 billion has been allocated for basic rural infrastructure projects, including village street lighting, community facilities, and the provision of clean water and electricity.
• The JENDELA project will enhance Internet connectivity through a RM5 billion investment, providing Wi-Fi access at all public university campuses and extending 4G coverage to all FELDA settlements.
• The government aims to extend 4G coverage to all Orang Asli villages, ensure Internet access along 7,000 kilometres of roads and 1,700 kilometres of railway lines, and implement the MADANI Submarine Cable Connection (SALAM) project next year.
• The Bukit Jalil MADANI Township will be developed as a residential area for the people, with registration for Phase One opening this Monday.
• Nearly RM1 billion has been allocated for projects such as Rumah Mesra Rakyat and the Program Residensi Rakyat.
• The Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) will provide financing guarantees of up to RM20 billion to assist 80,000 first-time homebuyers.
• The government proposes a full stamp duty exemption on loan agreements and instruments of transfer for first homes priced at up to RM500,000.
• The government will implement the Komuniti Angkat MADANI initiative with an allocation of RM50 million to support communities in urban People's Housing Projects (PPR).
• A total of RM100 million has been allocated to upgrade infrastructure in Chinese new villages, while RM80 million has been set aside to maintain registered non-Muslim houses of worship.
• GLIC and GLC foundations will provide RM100 million in matching grants to strengthen the childcare ecosystem and train 6,000 caregivers at more than 50 new locations across nine states.
• The allocation for small-scale projects in local authority (PBT) areas has been increased to nearly RM700 million to upgrade parks, public toilets and public markets.
• More than 10,000 small traders renting DBKL premises will receive a 50 per cent rental reduction throughout 2027, while rental rates for festive season bazaars will start at RM400.
• Petronas has begun developing four hectares of land in Kuala Lumpur for affordable housing.
• The government will provide 20 hectares of strategic land in Kuala Lumpur, valued at RM1 billion, as a new endowment to Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputera.
• Nearly 4.5 hectares of government land in Belfield, Kuala Lumpur, will be developed to provide at least 2,500 Rumah MADANI units, with 70 per cent reserved for Bumiputeras.
• The government will provide matching grants of up to RM5,000 to MSMEs seeking Halal certification for the first time.
• EPF members who opt for the Shariah Savings scheme can pay zakat directly from their dividends.
• Effective Jan 1, the service tax rate for elderly care services will be reduced to six per cent, with a full exemption for care fees of up to RM96,000 annually.
• More than RM40 million has been allocated through HRD Corp to train 8,000 workers in the elderly care sector.
• Assistance for the elderly has been increased to RM1.3 billion, benefiting nearly 200,000 recipients.
• EPF members aged 55 and 60 can opt for the i-Emas scheme to receive monthly payments while their remaining savings continue to earn dividends.
• Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) has been increased to RM1.5 billion, benefiting more than 300,000 recipients.
• The monthly care allowance for bedridden persons with disabilities and chronically ill patients has been increased from RM500 to RM600.
• The income threshold for receiving the Disabled Workers' Allowance has been raised from RM1,700 to RM2,000.
• The monthly allowance for students with special educational needs has been increased from RM150 to RM200, benefiting 150,000 students.
• The Special Education Needs Teaching Incentive has been increased from RM250 to RM300 per month, benefiting 20,000 teachers.
• Permata Kurnia centres will be established in Melaka and Pahang to provide education, support and training for autistic children.
• More than 130 new Tabika Tunas Istimewa classes will be opened in rural areas nationwide to provide early intervention for autistic children from low-income families.
• Fifteen Community-Based Rehabilitation (PDK) centres will be upgraded to Specialised Therapy Centres, benefiting 20,000 registered individuals with Down syndrome.
• A total of 3,000 new caregivers caring for persons with disabilities (PwD) will receive specialised training to meet the growing demand for care services nationwide.
• A total of RM445 million has been allocated to the Department of Orang Asli Development.
• The government has agreed to build a special hostel in Kinta, Perak, for Orang Asli children who live far from their schools.
• The MADANI Government has helped more than 250,000 people resolve their bankruptcy status since 2023.
• The Ministry of Health will receive RM47.7 billion, up from RM46.5 billion previously.
• More than 9,000 contract doctors will be offered permanent positions in 2027.
• The monthly post-basic incentive allowance for paramedics and nurses will be increased from RM100 to RM200.
• The Air Health Service Incentive Payment will be increased from RM30 to RM100.
• The allocation for referring patients to other hospitals for treatment will be increased to RM200 million.
• The MCMC will continue to expedite the rollout of the electronic medical record system across healthcare facilities nationwide, backed by an investment of RM1 billion.
• The government will introduce the affordable MediAsas health plan in January 2027.
• Private hospitals will adopt standardised and transparent billing categories from 2027 to minimise price distortions.
• The allocation for the Medical Assistance Fund will be increased to RM60 million from RM40 million previously.
• STR recipients and their spouses aged 40 and above will be eligible for free health screenings, medical device assistance and cancer treatment incentives under PeKa B40.
• The government will continue the B40 National Protection Scheme (MySalam) in 2027.
• The BuAi programme will provide affordable fertility treatment to 2,000 couples and men's wellness services to 42,000 individuals.
• Free thalassaemia screening will be expanded to include the husbands and children of carriers to reduce the risk of children being born with thalassaemia major.

-- BERNAMA