KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described Budget 2027 as a “very good” budget, saying its initiatives must be implemented effectively to deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Zahid acknowledged that the additional allocation for the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, which he oversees, was modest but said the ministry understood the country's financial constraints.
The ministry received RM12.68 billion under Budget 2027, an increase of RM281.08 million or 2.27% from RM12.4 billion in 2026.
The allocation comprises RM4.85 billion for operating expenditure, up RM236.98 million or 5.14%, and RM7.833 billion for development expenditure, an increase of RM44.1 million or 0.57%.
“We appreciate the focus given to our ministry,” Zahid told reporters on the sidelines of the Budget 2027 announcement at Parliament on Friday.
He said the priority was to ensure programmes with a high impact on their target groups were implemented effectively.
Zahid, who is also Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, has previously called for an early general election, although the current parliamentary term is due to expire only in 2028.
Attention will now turn to BN’s position when Parliament votes on Budget 2027, as a defeat could trigger a political crisis and raise the prospect of an early general election.
However, BN’s 30 MPs would not be enough on their own to deny Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a parliamentary majority. The outcome would depend on the positions taken by other MPs and parliamentary blocs.
In a statement on Friday, Zahid said Budget 2027 reflected the unity government’s commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities for Malaysians to build a better future.
He said the budget focused on addressing the cost of living, raising incomes and strengthening social protection. It also prioritised balanced development across states, improvements to basic infrastructure and wider economic opportunities to ensure rural communities benefited from the country’s prosperity.
Zahid expressed hope that the allocations and initiatives would be implemented efficiently and effectively, allowing the public to benefit from higher incomes, wider opportunities and greater security.