Malaysia 2027 budget to tackle living costs, fiscal risks as election looms

By Rozanna Latiff KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Reuters) Malaysia is likely to deliver a moderately expansionary budget for 2027 on Friday as it looks to boost support for households ahead of a general election that could be called at any time, analysts and economists said. Elections are not due until February 2028 but growing tensions ​within Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim s ruling alliance have fuelled expectations of an early vote. Anwar said in ‌May he may call for snap polls if internal divisions widen. Anwar, who is also finance minister, is expected to detail the 2027 budget in parliament at 3:30 p.m. (0730 GMT) on Friday. The budget could include more tax relief measures and other assistance to address rising living costs, though a broad-based stimulus was unlikely due to the need to maintain fiscal discipline, analysts said. While budget matters tend to be a tightrope walk for ‌the ​Finance Minister of the day, given the tight public finances, the looming (general election) ⁠raises ex