Anwar: University students, institutions among 2027 Budget priorities

PUTRAJAYA: University students and higher education institutions will be among the key priorities in the 2027 Budget, which is currently being finalised, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the 2027 Budget would cover various sectors and segments of society, including farmers, fishermen and the Orang Asli, as well as technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

"God willing, university students and universities will certainly also be included in (the Budget). Hopefully, I will be able to deliver what I can within the limitations," he said in his speech at the 2026 Tokoh Siswa Negara Awards ceremony.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, his deputy Adam Adli Abd Halim, and Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister said the preparation of the 2027 Budget required careful consideration of requests from thousands of associations, hundreds of departments and dozens of ministries

"Everything is reasonable and rational. From the paddy fields in Kedah, fishermen in Terengganu, the Orang Asli, Iban longhouses in Sarawak, technology and AI, all are demanding attention," he said.

He said his busy schedule finalising the Budget had forced him to cancel almost all events scheduled for this week, except for certain events, including Formula 1 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

"I cancelled all the events, but I decided to proceed with tonight's event. For the university students, I felt that I wanted to attend," he said.

The 2027 Budget is scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 9. It will be the fifth Madani Budget.