Budget 2027: Malaysia’s 3.3pc fiscal deficit target achievable, says Tengku Zafrul

Malaysia aims to achieve a 3.3% fiscal deficit of GDP in Budget 2027 if budget assumptions hold amid global uncertainties, says Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Budget 2027 is described as responsible, balancing investment incentives and ensuring economic growth benefits reach a wider segment of Malaysians.

Planned capital expenditure by government-linked entities is expected to generate positive economic effects and boost foreign investor confidence.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Malaysia is capable of achieving its fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) under Budget 2027, provided the assumptions underpinning the budget hold amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties, said Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) chairman, who is also a senior political advisor to the Prime Minister and a former Finance Minister, noted that the country’s fiscal position had improved over the past three years.

“When we look at the fiscal discipline that we have demonstrated over the last three years, with the fiscal deficit at around 5.5 per cent in 2022, we are moving in the right direction.

“If we look at government revenue and the country’s GDP growth, we should be able to achieve the 3.3 per cent target, provided the global geopolitical situation, the various challenges facing the world, oil prices and the other assumptions underpinning the budget remain as expected,” Tengku Zafrul said to Bernama.

He described Budget 2027 as a responsible budget that balances investment incentives with efforts to ensure that economic growth benefits a wider segment of Malaysians and businesses.

He noted that the budget took into account the interests of different stakeholders, while seeking to strengthen economic growth and ensure that its benefits reached both lower-income groups and businesses.

“If you look at it objectively, it is a well-thought-out and balanced budget that takes into account the interests of all stakeholders while ensuring that both the lower- and higher-income groups are supported,” he said.

On investment prospects, Tengku Zafrul said planned capital expenditure by government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and government-linked companies (GLCs) could generate positive spillover effects for the broader economy.

He said investments by Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the Employees Provident Fund and other institutions, as well as capital expenditure by Petronas sent positive signals to potential investors, as domestic investment commitments could help strengthen foreign investors’ confidence in Malaysia.

“I believe that these are good for investors to take note of, because when they come to invest in a country, they also want to see confidence, and if our own companies or institutions are investing, then they will also be more comfortable or more confident in doing so,” he said. — Bernama

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拿督斯里东姑扎夫鲁阿卜杜勒阿齐兹表示，如果在全球不确定性的情况下预算假设成立，马来西亚的目标是在 2027 年预算中实现财政赤字占 GDP 的 3.3%。

2027 年财政预算案被描述为负责任的，它平衡了投资激励措施，并确保经济增长的成果惠及更广泛的马来西亚民众。

政府关联实体的计划资本支出预计将产生积极的经济影响，并提振外国投资者的信心。

吉隆坡，10 月 13 日讯——马来西亚财政大臣拿督斯里东姑扎夫鲁·阿卜杜勒·阿齐兹表示，只要支撑 2027 年财政预算的各项假设在全球经济和地缘政治不确定性中保持不变，马来西亚就有能力实现其财政赤字占国内生产总值 (GDP) 3.3% 的目标。

马来西亚投资发展局（MIDA）主席，同时也是总理的高级政治顾问和前财政部长，指出该国的财政状况在过去三年中有所改善。

“回顾过去三年我们所展现的财政纪律，2022 年财政赤字约为 5.5%，我们正朝着正确的方向前进。”

“如果我们观察政府收入和国家GDP增长，我们应该能够实现3.3%的目标，前提是全球地缘政治形势、世界面临的各种挑战、石油价格以及支撑预算的其他假设保持不变，”东姑扎夫鲁对马新社表示。

他将 2027 年财政预算案描述为一份负责任的预算案，该预算案在投资激励措施和确保经济增长惠及更广泛的马来西亚民众和企业的努力之间取得了平衡。

他指出，该预算考虑到了不同利益相关者的利益，同时力求加强经济增长，并确保低收入群体和企业都能从中受益。

他说：“客观地看，这是一份经过深思熟虑、平衡的预算，它考虑到了所有利益相关者的利益，同时确保低收入群体和高收入群体都能得到支持。”

关于投资前景，东姑扎夫鲁表示，政府关联投资公司（GLIC）和政府关联公司（GLC）的计划资本支出可能会对更广泛的经济产生积极的溢出效应。

他表示，国库控股、雇员公积金局和其他机构的投资，以及马来西亚国家石油公司的资本支出，都向潜在投资者发出了积极的信号，因为国内投资承诺有助于增强外国投资者对马来西亚的信心。

“我认为这些对投资者来说值得关注，因为当他们决定在一个国家投资时，他们也希望看到该国的信心。如果我们自己的公司或机构进行投资，他们也会更有信心。”他说道。——马新社

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