Budget 2026 To Incorporate Key 13MP Elements -- Amir Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Budget 2026 will incorporate key elements of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which sets out the country’s priorities, Finance Ministry II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said.

The budget, to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 10, will be the first under 13MP and will align with both the plan and the MADANI Economy framework, he said.

“We must carry out reforms to strengthen housing, education and health. There are many other agendas we are pursuing, and Budget 2026 will incorporate these elements to drive Malaysia’s development,” he told reporters after launching the Public Finance and Economy Week (MEKA) 2025 here, today.

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In his speech earlier, Amir Hamzah, who also serves as the Acting Minister of Economy, highlighted Malaysia’s latest economic performance. He noted that gross domestic product grew 4.4 per cent in the first half of 2025, while trade was valued at RM1.46 trillion, with a current account surplus of RM17 billion.

He said inflation moderated to 1.3 per cent in August, down from 1.9 per cent a year earlier, while unemployment fell to 3.0 per cent, reflecting stronger labour market conditions.

“Household incomes have also improved, with the average monthly income rising to RM9,155 in 2024 from RM7,901 in 2019, while the absolute poverty rate declined to 5.8 per cent from 8.4 per cent in 2020,” he said.

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Amir Hamzah also stressed that civil servants, as the government’s main machinery, must understand the objectives and spirit behind each priority, strategy and initiative outlined in 13MP.

“I am confident we can succeed if all parties work together as one, rather than in silos, especially in implementing initiatives that cut across ministries,” he said.

The two-day MEKA 2025 brings together more than 700 participants from the public service, academia, industry and civil society to discuss the priorities and strategies of 13MP across five forums.

--BERNAMA