Perak: The Perak State Legislative Assembly today unanimously approved the state’s RM1.61 billion Budget for 2026, the largest in its history.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Supply Enactment 2026 Bill and the 2026 Development Fund motion were debated from Wednesday, with 44 of the 59 elected representatives taking part – 18 from the government bloc and 26 from the opposition. The Perak Budget 2026, tabled by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad on November 25, continues the theme ‘Perak Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera’ and centers on five key priorities: the people’s well-being, governance of state-interest projects, human capital and youth development, environmental sustainability, and food security.

Meanwhile, in his winding-up speech, Saarani said the state government, through the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk), is studying a proposal to create structured, permanent posts for Islamic kindergarten teachers to ensure better long-term welfare. He mentioned that during discussions with JAIPk, there was a proposal to increase the KAFA (Quran and Fardhu Ain) teachers’ allowance, and the department is in the process of upgrading the positions, which would result in significantly higher remuneration.

Saarani also clarified that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) arrangement is a trade framework between two countries and not an exclusive partnership. While ART opens up trade opportunities with the United States, it does not prevent Malaysia from engaging with other international markets. The Perak government asserts that any trade agreement involving the state’s strategic mineral resources, including rare earth elements (REE), must prioritize public interest and economic sustainability. The involvement of foreign entities is limited to their role as trade partners, without direct control over REE production in Perak.