Bersama’s shadow Budget 2027 argues that “business as usual” is no longer an option for Malaysia’s fiscal policy amid global uncertainty and mounting structural pressures at home.

The proposed budget, presented by party co-leader Rafizi Ramli last night, says Malaysia can build resilience by strengthening domestic capacity, diversifying sources of growth, and taking the “hard road” on structural reform.

Rafizi argued that annual budgets have long functioned like a “fire extinguisher”, with problems tackled only after they emerge, when the fiscal cost of responding is higher and policy options narrower. Bersama instead wants a longer-term approach to avoid late interventions and damage-control policymaking.