Budget 2026 Rich In Handouts Poor In Reform Says Pas Rep

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 The Budget 2026 proposal tabled yesterday lacks bold reforms needed to address deeper issues faced by the economy, according to Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman.
He questioned whether the incentives tabled during the budget are a genuine attempt to improve the nation’s economic fundamentals or merely a pre-election budget designed to win public favour ahead of elections.
“The repeated use of the phrase ‘I am pleased to announce’ became a central theme, signalling that this is not merely a fiscal budget, but also a pre-election one, given the possibility of an early 16th general election next year,” he said in a statement last night.
He also claimed that the budget has focused on various projects and special allocations in Sabah and Sarawak, which could be linked to the upcoming state election in Sabah.
In contrast, he claimed opposition-held states did not get their fair share despite their lack of basic infrastructure and high levels of relative poverty.
“On the social front, the increase in cash assistance programmes such as STR and Sara offers some relief to lower-income households, along with subsidies and direct aid for farmers, fishers, people with disabilities, students, and undergraduates.
“However, these measures do not address structural issues such as wage imbalance, rising costs of essential goods, and the lack of quality job opportunities. Cash aid is no substitute for genuine and comprehensive reforms,” he added.
‘Starting on the wrong foot’
Overall, Syahir, who holds a master’s degree in development economics, said Budget 2026 reflects the government’s dilemma in exercising fiscal discipline while stimulating growth, and fails to introduce structural reforms needed to raise productivity, promote jobs, and close the development gap between regions.
He also warned that while fiscal discipline is appropriate, it also risks curtailling strategic investments needed to generate long-term growth.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim prepares to table Budget 2026 in Dewan Rakyat yesterday“Budget 2026 could even be seen as starting the long-term aspirations under the 13th Malaysian Plan on the wrong foot,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pendang MP Awang Solahuddin Hashim reportedly urged greater investment in research and development (R&D) to strengthen innovation and technological competitiveness.
The New Straits Times quoted him arguing that the allocation for R&D in Budget 2026 did not go far enough to achieve the nation’s goal of becoming a developed nation.
Awang reiterated that in order to move the nation closer to a high-income, innovation-driven economy, R&D must be prioritised.
“This is because R&D produces innovations that generate profits and returns for the country. We must truly focus on R&D. I urge the government to prioritise it seriously, as it will lead to valuable discoveries and solutions,” he reportedly told reporters at Parliament yesterday.
On the other hand, PAS deputy president and former environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man cautioned the government’s intent to implement a carbon tax.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man“Personally, I welcome this initiative, as many other countries have already implemented carbon taxes.
“However, we must examine the direct impact on the affected industries, including the tax rate imposed,” NST quoted him as saying.
Yesterday, during the tabling of Budget 2026, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that a carbon tax will be implemented in 2026, initially targeting the iron, steel, and energy industries.
To ensure its successful implementation, he said, the tax would be enacted in accordance with the upcoming National Carbon Market Policy and the Climate Change Bill. - Mkini

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