With healthcare, childcare, education and housing costs taking an increasing toll on household incomes, a PAS lawmaker has urged the government to introduce a targeted “support package” for the middle-income group (M40) in Budget 2027.

Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman said the M40 was facing mounting financial pressures and needed more targeted assistance when the budget is tabled in Parliament on Friday (Oct 9).

"Most importantly, Budget 2027 needs to recognise the role of the M40 by providing a more targeted 'support package' to ease the increasingly felt financial pressure.

"The costs of healthcare, childcare, and education, alongside housing commitments, are taking up an increasingly large share of household income.