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Budget 2026 reflects real economic conditions, says Anwar

Budget 2026 reflects real economic conditions, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA : Budget 2026 has been formulated based on the current economic realities rather than purely on economic theory, in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring prudent fiscal management that prioritises the people’s well-being. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, said the current budget approach cannot be compared with the 1990s era, when the Malaysian economy recorded rapid growth of between 10 and 11 per cent with a low deficit. “The budget framework must reflect the real economic situation we face. Sometimes, if we only take the views of academicians or theoreticians, they give us general frameworks, but we must consider debt levels, the deficit and revenue before we can achieve balance. “It’s different from the 1990s. Naturally, the approach must also differ. We inherited swelling debts and a high deficit, so all these factors must be carefully assessed before designing a suitable budget framework that meets current needs,” he said during the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly here today. Anwar said that the government’s main focus since he took office has been to strengthen governance and administrative integrity, as issues of leakages and corruption have long been systemic problems. Anwar said stronger enforcement and governance by agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Customs, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have enabled the government to recover RM15.5 billion over the past two years. He said the amount was collected through asset seizures, recovery of outstanding taxes, and efforts to curb smuggling of cigarettes and liquor as well as online fraud syndicates. “This is not from new taxes, but from clean and firm governance and enforcement. If revenue has increased because we stopped leakages and corruption, there’s no reason to burden the people with additional taxes,” he said. Anwar said the government’s fiscal policy is focused on striking a balance between reducing the national deficit and debt while safeguarding the welfare of the people. “We managed to reduce the deficit from 5.6 to 3.8 per cent. That’s a significant step. But if we move too drastically, it might look good in economic theory but would hurt the people. So balance is crucial,” he said. In his speech, the prime minister also expressed appreciation to the staff of the Finance Ministry for their exceptional commitment in preparing Budget 2026, describing it as the result of their dedication, sincerity and hard work. “I’ve probably presented nearly 10 budgets since 1991, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. “But what impresses me most, and what many may not realise, is the sheer dedication of the ministry staff who work tirelessly, often late into the night, treating this not just as a job but as a mission carried out with commitment and sincerity. “In the weeks leading up to the budget, the entire Treasury family demonstrated extraordinary dedication. So once again, I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone at the Finance Ministry,” he said. - Bernama

'Dunia ini palsu. Saya sudah menang’ - Nota suspek tikam pelajar dirampas polis

'Dunia ini palsu. Saya sudah menang’ - Nota suspek tikam pelajar dirampas polis

SHAH ALAM – "Dunia ini palsu. Saya sudah menang."Itu antara ayat yang tertulis dalam nota dipercayai milik remaja lelaki berusia 14 tahun yang menikam rakan sekolahnya dalam kejadian di sebuah sekolah menengah di Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya pada Selasa.Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Shazeli Kahar berkata, nota berkenaan ditemui semasa tangkapan dibuat terhadap suspek."Ya, saya sahkan pihak polis ada menemui nota ini. Ia dirampas bersama suspek ketika pemeriksaan awal dijalankan dan bukan di dalam tandas tempat kejadian berlaku."Berkaitan kandungan dalam nota ini, ia masih dalam siasatan lanjut pihak polis," katanya dalam sidang akhbar di Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen (IPK) Selangor di sini pada Rabu.Katanya, siasatan dijalankan merangkumi semua aspek termasuk latar belakang suspek dan mangsa."Setakat ini, tiada unsur buli dikesan dalam kejadian ini."Polis memandang serius insiden ini dan menyeru semua pihak termasuk sekolah serta masyarakat untuk bersama memastikan keselamatan pelajar sentiasa terpelihara," katanya.Sinar Harian sebelum ini melaporkan bahawa dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 9.30 pagi Selasa, seorang pelajar perempuan berusia 16 tahun maut dipercayai ditikam oleh seorang pelajar lelaki di sebuah sekolah menengah di Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

JPJ enforcement officers begin using body-worn cameras for operations

JPJ enforcement officers begin using body-worn cameras for operations

KUALA LANGAT : Enforcement officers from the Road Transport Department have begun using body-worn cameras particularly for high-risk operations. Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the initiative aims to ensure the safety of enforcement personnel and to provide recorded evidence in case of disputes during operations. He confirmed that today marks the first day JPJ is using body-worn cameras starting with 100 units. The distribution and use will be phased beginning with the JPJ headquarters in Putrajaya due to its involvement in special operations. More than half of the units have been allocated to offices in other states for similar purposes including high-risk operations. Aedy Fadly also announced the government’s approval for the acquisition of 60 new firearms which will supplement the 434 firearms currently in use. He said the move is important to improve enforcement effectiveness enhance integrity and protect officers from unfounded allegations during their duties. The government recognises the high-risk nature of JPJ officers’ work in the field according to the director-general. The new firearms will be acquired this year with further firearm acquisitions expected next year. Transport Minister Anthony Loke previously stated that 100 body-worn cameras would be issued to JPJ enforcement personnel at the headquarters and state offices. The government has allocated RM2.3 million for the first phase of the body-worn camera implementation. – Bernama

PARLIMEN: 15,375 hektar tanah dikenal pasti ditanam jagung bijian

PARLIMEN: 15,375 hektar tanah dikenal pasti ditanam jagung bijian

KUALA LUMPUR: Tanah seluas 15,375 hektar telah dikenal pasti berpotensi untuk dibangunkan bagi penanaman jagung bijian sebagai langkah mengurangkan kebergantungan negara terhadap import bahan makanan ternakan. Timbalan Menteri Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup berkata, tanah tersebut telah dikenal pasti melalui sesi libat urus bersama kerajaan negeri termasuk Perlis, Perak, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri ... Read more The post PARLIMEN: 15,375 hektar tanah dikenal pasti ditanam jagung bijian appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

BNM remains optimistic on ringgit outlook supported by strong economy

BNM remains optimistic on ringgit outlook supported by strong economy

KUALA LUMPUR : Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) remains optimistic about the trajectory of the ringgit, underpinned by Malaysia’s strong economic fundamentals and structural reforms. The central bank’s Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said that the ringgit has strengthened against the US dollar by 5.8 per cent year-to-date amid a challenging global economic environment. Previously, at the launch of the Global Islamic Finance Forum (GIFF), he said the ringgit could appreciate to RM4 against the US dollar by the end of the year, given Malaysia’s bright economic prospects. “While we do not target any level for the ringgit, we remain committed to ensuring the foreign exchange market remains resilient and stable. “Over the longer horizon, our continued structural reforms, such as in labour markets and social protection, which are key to driving improvements in our productivity and competitiveness, will further unlock growth and provide enduring support to the ringgit,” he responded to Bernama’s query. Abdul Rasheed added that Malaysia has been making good progress in attracting quality investments, with encouraging results being observed. “Compared to previous investment upcycles, the current upcycle has been more private-sector driven with a notable increase in higher valued-added activities in the manufacturing and services sectors such as automation, digitalisation and data centre investments,” he said. Besides, he said the central bank views the government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the target of further reducing the fiscal deficit to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product in 2026. Additionally, the government has also been taking meaningful steps to rationalise subsidies, said Abdul Rasheed. “But to further drive and sustain the ringgit’s trajectory, we will need to work hard to continue to strengthen our economic fundamentals. “We need to see through plans and roadmaps like the 13th Malaysia Plan, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the National Semiconductor Strategy,” he said. - Bernama

Pegawai agama didakwa salah guna kuasa

Pegawai agama didakwa salah guna kuasa

ALOR SETAR – Seorang pegawai agama dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini atas dua pertuduhan menggunakan jawatan untuk mendapatkan suapan berjumlah RM30,800 berkaitan dua program keagamaan, tahun lalu. Tertuduh, Muhammad Suhaimi Salleh, 59, yang bertugas sebagai Pegawai Agama Daerah Kubang Pasu ketika itu bagaimanapun mengaku tidak bersalah atas kedua-dua pertuduhan tersebut di hadapan ... Read more The post Pegawai agama didakwa salah guna kuasa appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

Filem wakil Malaysia ke Oscar akan diumum selepas FFM34

Filem wakil Malaysia ke Oscar akan diumum selepas FFM34

KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (Finas) bakal mengumumkan filem tempatan yang mewakili negara bagi kategori Filem Cereka Antarabangsa di Anugerah Akademi Ke-98 (Oscar) selepas berakhirnya Festival Filem Malaysia ke-34 (FFM34) pada 1 November ini. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Finas, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib berkata, pihaknya telah pun mengenal pasti filem yang akan dicalonkan namun ... Read more The post Filem wakil Malaysia ke Oscar akan diumum selepas FFM34 appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .