Among the highlights of the federal budget 2027 tabled by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament today
1.Sabah to receive RM18.7 billion next year, up from RM17.6 billion this year while Sarawak to receive RM16.2 billion next year, up from RM15.1 billion this year.
Road projects in Sabah and Sarawak would continue, with an allocation of RM3.3 billion.
The Letter of Acceptance (SST) for the Miri section of the Trans Borneo Highway has been issued, while those for the Limbang and Lawas sections are expected to be issued by the end of this year.
The Sarawak-Sabah Link Road 1 and Pan Borneo Sabah Phase 1B targeted for completion by the end of next year.
In addition, RM350 million in Federal road maintenance funds has been set aside for G1-G4 contractors in Sabah and Sarawak
2.The allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) to increase to RM16 billion in 2027 from RM15 billion, with all STR recipients eligible for SARA of up to RM150 a month or RM1,800 a year.
Malaysians aged 18 and above who are not STR recipients would also receive SARA MADANI payments of RM100 on two occasions, before Aidilfitri and in conjunction with the 70th National Day celebrations.
The two forms of assistance to benefit up to nine million STR recipients and 13 million Malaysians, including traders.
Allowing SARA to be used to purchase wet and fresh produce at 216 farmers’ markets or tamu under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) nationwide.
Total allocations for subsidies, assistance and incentives next year would exceed RM80 billion, including fuel subsidies expected to remain high at RM40 billion and nearly RM3.3 billion in
assistance from the Social Welfare Department.
3.. The federal government agreed to double the number of Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships offered to students from Sabah and Sarawak, some 4,200 students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education every year.
On the Sibu Special Economic Zone, federal government to begin formal negotiations to finalise the incentive framework, a one-stop investment facilitation centre.
4. The service tax rate for elderly care services will be reduced from eight per cent to six per cent effective Jan 1, 2027, with a full exemption for care fees of up to
RM96,000 annually.
The allocation for Elderly Assistance would also be increased to RM1.3 billion next year, benefiting nearly 200,000 recipients.
The government to draft a Senior Citizens Bill to address neglect and strengthen the comprehensive care ecosystem as the nation prepares to transition into an ageing society.
Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to train 8,000 individuals to strengthen the workforce in the elderly care sector, while creating employment opportunities in the field.
Two National Integrated Care Centres of Excellence (NICE) would be established in Penang and Sarawak to support training, research and elderly care services.
5. The overall allocation for assistance to persons with disabilities (OKU) to be increased to RM1.5 billion, benefiting more than 300,000 individuals.
The allowance rate for the care of bedridden OKU and chronic patients to be raised to RM600 a month from RM500, while the income threshold to qualify for the OKU worker allowance had been increased to RM2,000.
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