Kuala lumpur: Budget 2026 strikes a balance between delivering investment stimulus, supporting the growth of new economic sectors, and providing social relief, while maintaining fiscal discipline to stay on track with the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s medium-term target of a 3.0 percent budget deficit to gross domestic product. Maybank applauds this broad-based approach taken by the government, said its president and group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Khairussaleh Ramli, who is also chairman of the Association of Banks in Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the unveiling of Budget 2026 comes at a pivotal moment for Malaysia, as it navigates global headwinds from trade tensions and tariff pressures, domestic cost-of-living pressures, and a renewed push under the 13th Malaysia Plan. The budget remains committed to the wellbeing of the people, particularly those in marginalised segments.
Khairussaleh noted that the budget addresses issues related to the cost of living, including medical inflation, with expansions and extensions of tax reliefs for medical insurance and takaful. It also tackles the provisions, maintenance, and quality of public infrastructure, healthcare, education, and housing.
The banking industry supports the government’s drive to build a high-value ASEAN economy through strategic investments in new economic sectors such as semiconductors, energy transition, and digital industries. Maybank applauds the government’s continued commitment to small and medium-sized enterprise development and entrepreneurship.
Maybank plans to collaborate with Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Bhd (SJPP) on new initiatives, including export-based programmes. Additionally, the bank supports the government’s direction on cross-border economic leadership, particularly in developing the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which strengthens Johor’s position as Malaysia’s strategic gateway.
As an early mover, Maybank has mobilised RM8 billion in financing and investments in the JS-SEZ and helped establish two single family offices, with 11 more in the pipeline. The government’s commitment to positioning Malaysia as a global leader in the Islamic economy aligns with Maybank’s role in advancing Islamic finance and value-based banking to promote equitable growth, sustainability, and social impact.
On sustainability, Khairussaleh stated that the budget is committed to accelerating the nation’s net-zero aspirations, with the introduction of various carbon-related mechanisms. Maybank will continue to offer sustainable and transition finance solutions to address climate resiliency and decarbonisation efforts anchored on values-based financial services.