KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hinted that the government will announce a special allocation for youth in Budget 2027, which will be tabled on Oct 9.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said he took into account the grievances and requests of the younger generation, including matters concerning education costs and the needs of students from low-income families.

"There are university students who say, 'We want to study but we are hungry.' We will focus on this, and I will announce it during the budget presentation.

"Poor students who cannot afford it are forced to go into debt — these are issues we must listen to. I reiterate that this country is not poor; praise be to God, this nation possesses wealth," he said when officiating the Youth Economic Forum 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here on Saturday.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Political Secretary to the Minister of Finance Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, and Perdana Fellows Alumni Association president Fanitsyara Kam Phon.

Anwar said he spent hours on Friday listening to the views of scholars and scientists on measures needed to ensure Malaysia does not lag behind.

"Who determines (the future of the country)? Not my generation, (but) the generation of these young people.

"Exploring the globe and these new disciplines is the domain of young people, (so) my responsibility is to provide the space, elevate the quality of education, and foster mastery of Malay, English, Chinese, Arabic, French, and German — go right ahead, give them the space," he said.

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