Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Economy will continue to focus on development expenditure in Budget 2027, which is expected to be tabled this October, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, all ministries have submitted their development proposals, and evaluations are being conducted at the ministry level through a bidding mechanism. Akmal Nasrullah emphasized the importance of managing the economy in the face of a crisis in 2026, highlighting that the Ministry of Economy is considering the development aspect for the upcoming year. The engagement process with the ministries is expected to be thorough, with development planning proposals for 2027 already submitted.

A detailed review of these development plans is scheduled to begin next month. The government remains committed to the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), targeting a development expenditure of around RM619 billion over its five-year implementation period.

In addressing the influx of e-commerce products from China and the participation of foreign businesses in the local market, the minister highlighted the need to balance facilitating business and ensuring fair competition for local players. While ease of doing business is crucial, preventing unhealthy competition that could harm local businesses is also necessary.

The issue has been presented to the Cabinet, which agreed to establish a special committee led by the Ministry of Finance to study the matter thoroughly. This involves various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, responsible for consumer matters and the development of small and medium enterprises, respectively.