KUALA LUMPUR — Preparations for Budget 2026 will be guided by the economic strengths and needs of individual states, rather than being dictated solely at the ministerial level, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
He stressed that the approach is vital to ensure steady growth while addressing the people’s concerns, particularly rising living costs.
“Each state has its strengths. In Melaka, for example, the focus is on tourism and manufacturing, of which the state has shown encouraging performance,” Anwar said during the Budget 2026 engagement session for tourism and manufacturing industry players in Banda Hilir, reported Bernama.
Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, and Treasury Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) Datuk Zamzuri Abdul Aziz.
Anwar added that cost of living pressures must remain a central consideration.
“Economic strengthening cannot be defined by traditional economic theory alone, but must be linked to real needs and sound judgment to ensure society develops in a way that is fair, practical, and does not burden the people,” he said.
Budget 2026 will be tabled in Parliament on October 10, where Anwar — who is also Finance Minister — is expected to outline policies balancing fiscal reforms with targeted relief for households and businesses. — September 27, 2025