This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 5, 2026 - October 11, 2026
Budget 2027, themed “Malaysia Madani: Reaching for the Skies, Rooted in the Earth”, is scheduled to be tabled in parliament on Oct 9 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Notably, this could be the unity government’s last budget before the next general election, which must be held by early 2028.
Tax experts have said the government will have to find more fiscal space without imposing new taxes under the budget, as high energy prices are eating into some of the savings from subsidy reforms.
Nonetheless, economists still expect the total allocation for Budget 2027 to be higher than the RM419.2 billion announced a year ago.
UOB Global Economics & Markets Research, for one, expects a mildly more supportive fiscal stance, with total expenditure rising to RM445.9 billion, or 19.6% of gross domestic product (GDP), supported by resilient oil-related revenue and stronger tax collections. It forecasts the fiscal deficit to narrow modestly to 3.3% of GDP in 2027 from an estimated 3.5% in 2026, reflecting continued fiscal consolidation alongside growth support.
“Potential Budget 2027 measures include higher cash assistance, targeted subsidy enhancements, selective tax reliefs, support for SMEs (small and medium enterprises), gig workers and civil servants, as well as incentives for artificial intelligence, digitalisation, energy transition and strategic investments,” it said in an Oct 2 note.
Anwar has said there will be an announcement on measures for fair wages to ensure wage increases are commensurate with graduates’ qualifications.
Ahead of the tabling of the budget, the prime minister will deliver his opening address at the Khazanah Megatrends Forum on Oct 5 and 6. The annual event brings together experts and thought leaders to discuss global trends as well as to address current critical issues.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC), chaired by Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, will hold a special meeting on Oct 7 to discuss matters related to the 16th Melaka state election, including deciding the nomination and polling dates.
The election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution of the Melaka state assembly on Sept 23.
Also on Oct 7, Bank Negara Malaysia will release its Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at Sept 30, which will include the latest international reserves, which stood at US$131.7 billion (RM538 billion) as at Sept 15.
The Industrial Production Index and manufacturing sales data for August are expected to be out on Oct 9. Industrial output grew 4.7% year on year (y-o-y) in July, down from 6.5% in June, mainly due to weaker mining output.
Within the region, Vietnam is likely to be the first economy in Asia to release its third-quarter (3Q) GDP on Oct 3, with growth forecast ranging from 8% to 8.6% y-o-y, compared with 8.4% in 2Q.
The spotlight will also be on Taiwan’s September trade data, as well as inflation figures from various economies, including Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan.
The 2026 Nobel Prize announcements will begin with the award for medicine/physiology on Oct 5, while the final prize — the Nobel Prize for Peace award — will be announced on Oct 9.
On the corporate front, SLGC Bhd (KL:SLG) is slated to be listed on the ACE Market on Oct 6. The public portion of the construction services firm’s shares was oversubscribed 3.1 times.
Companies scheduled to hold annual general meetings this week include Bermaz Auto Bhd (KL:BAUTO) on Oct 7 and Apollo Food Holdings Bhd (KL:APOLLO) on Oct 8.
On Oct 6, Top Glove Corp Bhd (KL:TOPGLOV) will announce its 4Q financial results ended Aug 31, 2026. The glove maker reported a higher net profit of RM150.33 million in the first nine-month period against RM70.5 million a year ago.
The Federal Court will hear Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s
application for leave to appeal on Oct 8 in his bid to halt a judicial review challenging the withdrawal of his criminal charges.
Zahid is seeking to stop the High Court from hearing the merits of a lawsuit brought by the Malaysian Bar. The Bar is challenging the Attorney General’s Chambers’ 2023 decision to drop all 47 graft, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering charges against him.
At the Court of Appeal, there will also be a hearing of Low Thiam Hock’s final appeal on Oct 5 and 6 over his conviction for market manipulation with respect to the share price of Repco Holdings Bhd back in December 1997, where he — better known as Repco Low — was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of RM5 million.
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