Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today that the MADANI Government has incorporated state-level development priorities into the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the upcoming Budget 2026. Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, emphasized a consultative approach involving discussions with state governments to consider their proposals.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted that states including Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah, many of which are led by opposition parties, have submitted their development priorities. While these priorities sometimes differ from federal objectives, Anwar assured that at least one or two of each state's top priorities would be included in the 2026 Budget to be announced in October.

Anwar's comments came in response to Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias's query in the Dewan Rakyat regarding potential imbalances in federal infrastructure development. Using the proposed cancer centre in Sarawak as an example, Anwar illustrated how state-driven initiatives are being integrated into federal plans, even when initially absent from national blueprints.

The Prime Minister reiterated the federal government's commitment to equitable infrastructure distribution across all states, highlighting the importance of increasing development funds for rural regions to bridge economic divides. Projects like Malaysia Vision Valley and tourism initiatives around Port Dickson are under examination to narrow the economic gap between states.

The 13MP was unveiled by Anwar on July 31, with the national Budget 2026 set to be tabled on October 10.