Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has highlighted Budget 2026 as a budget that emphasizes rural development, aiming to enhance the well-being of rural communities. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, stated that his ministry has received an increased allocation of RM12.4 billion, marking an increase of RM440 million or 3.69 percent from the previous year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this increase signifies the MADANI Government's commitment to advancing rural socio-economic development comprehensively, ensuring no community, including the Orang Asli, is overlooked. The budget allocates RM2.4 billion to key agencies such as FELDA, RISDA, and FELCRA, safeguarding the welfare of over 720,000 settlers and smallholders. Additionally, MARA's allocation has been expanded to support education and entrepreneurship, while the Orang Asli community will benefit from a RM412 million allocation for infrastructure and educational programs.
The budget, themed "Belanjawan MADANI Keempat: Belanjawan Rakyat" (Fourth MADANI Budget: A Budget for the People), aims to optimize national resources, including funds from government-linked investment companies, federal statutory bodies, and MOF Inc companies, with public expenditure projected at RM470 billion, up from RM452 billion last year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the allocation includes RM338.2 billion for federal operating expenditure and RM81 billion for development expenditure, supplemented by investments from various sectors.
Ahmad Zahid further stated that Budget 2026 is centered on the well-being of the people and future investments, providing a foundation for sustainability and prosperity. The government has also acknowledged the efforts of former KEMAS staff, increasing their monthly allowance from RM300 to RM500 for 4,000 individuals starting next year.
The TVET sector remains a focal point with a RM7.9 billion allocation, targeting high-impact fields like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and robotics. A special allocation of RM150 million is designated for tahfiz and huffaz students within the TVET framework. Additionally, the halal development agenda is reinforced, and NADMA receives RM460 million for flood management, alongside RM2.2 billion for flood mitigation projects.