Malaysia's RM421 billion Budget 2025

[MALAYSIA] Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has tabled the country's largest-ever budget of RM421 billion for the year 2025. This ambitious fiscal plan, unveiled on October 18, 2024, in the Dewan Rakyat, represents a significant 3.3% increase from the revised 2024 budget of RM407.5 billion. The 2025 budget is designed to navigate Malaysia through complex economic challenges while fostering growth, implementing crucial reforms, and enhancing social welfare.

Key Allocations and Priorities

Development and Operating Expenditure

The 2025 budget allocates RM335 billion for operating expenditure and RM86 billion for development expenditure, with an additional RM2 billion set aside for contingencies. This distribution reflects the government's commitment to balancing immediate operational needs with long-term development goals.

Economic Growth Targets

Anwar Ibrahim announced an optimistic economic growth forecast for 2025, projecting a GDP growth rate between 4.5% and 5.5%. This target builds on the revised 2024 growth forecast of 4.8% to 5.3%, demonstrating the government's confidence in Malaysia's economic resilience and potential.

Fiscal Deficit Reduction

A key focus of the 2025 budget is the reduction of the fiscal deficit. The government aims to narrow the deficit to 3.8% of GDP in 2025, down from the estimated 4.3% in 2024. This commitment to fiscal consolidation is crucial for Malaysia's long-term economic stability and creditworthiness.

Major Reform Initiatives

Subsidy Rationalization

One of the most significant reforms announced in the budget is the rationalization of the RON95 petrol subsidy. Anwar Ibrahim stated, "The government intends to rationalise subsidies for RON95 petrol in the middle of 2025". This move aims to ensure that subsidies benefit those who need them most, with the top 15% of earners no longer qualifying for the subsidy.

Tax Reforms

The budget introduces several tax reforms to boost revenue and promote equity:

• A new 2% tax on dividend income exceeding RM100,000 from the 2025 assessment year.
• Expansion of taxation on luxury goods, including items like salmon and avocado.
• Implementation of a global minimum tax from 2025 to improve revenue collection.

Minimum Wage Increase

In a move to support workers, the minimum wage will be raised from RM1,500 to RM1,700 per month, effective February 1, 2025. This increase aims to improve living standards for low-income earners while balancing the needs of businesses.

Sector-Specific Allocations

Education and Healthcare

The 2025 budget prioritizes human capital development with significant allocations for education and healthcare:

The Ministry of Education's allocation increases from RM58.7 billion to RM64.1 billion.

The Ministry of Higher Education sees a boost from RM16.3 billion to RM18 billion.

The Ministry of Health receives the second-highest budget allocation of RM45.3 billion, up from RM41.2 billion in 2024.

Infrastructure and Development

The budget allocates substantial funds for infrastructure development and maintenance:

RM250 million for repairing dangerous slopes across the country.

RM21 million to address sinkholes in Perak, Kedah, and Perlis.

RM10 million for geotechnical studies in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle.

Digital Economy and Innovation

To foster innovation and digital growth, the budget includes:

Accelerated capital allowances for businesses adopting e-invoicing.

Implementation of the iPayment cashless payment platform at all government counters from 2025.

Investment and Economic Zones

New Investment Incentive Framework

The budget introduces a new Investment Incentive Framework focusing on high-value activities, to be implemented in the third quarter of 2025. This framework includes:

Tax incentives for high-value activities in the electrical and electronics sector.

Special tax deductions for professionals in AI, robotics, IoT, data science, fintech, and sustainable technology.

Incentives for multinational enterprises spending up to RM2 million per year.

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ)

The budget outlines plans to revitalize the Forest City project within the JSSEZ:

Approval of Forest City as a "Duty-Free Island" to support tourism and local economic activities.

Launch of a Single Family Office Scheme in the Forest City Special Financial Zone.

Establishment of an Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor (IMFC-J) to streamline investment processes.

Social Welfare and Inclusivity

Targeted Subsidies

The budget emphasizes a shift towards targeted subsidies to ensure that government assistance reaches those who need it most. This includes:

Rationalizing RON95 petrol subsidies to exclude the top 15% of earners.

Retargeting subsidies for boarding schools and public healthcare to exclude high-income earners.

Support for Entrepreneurs

The budget allocates significant resources to support various entrepreneur groups:

RM800 million in funding under MARA and PUNB for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

RM130 million for community business financing for Indian entrepreneurs.

RM470 million in financing for female entrepreneurs.

Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives

Recognizing the importance of sustainable development, the budget includes:

An increase in the National Energy Transition Facilitation Fund allocation from RM100 million to RM300 million.

Creation of economic groups focused on renewable energy in states like Perlis and Sabah.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the 2025 budget presents a comprehensive plan for Malaysia's economic development, it also faces several challenges:

Balancing fiscal consolidation with growth: The government must carefully manage its deficit reduction goals while providing sufficient stimulus for economic growth.

Implementing subsidy reforms: The rationalization of subsidies, particularly for RON95 petrol, may face public resistance and needs to be managed sensitively.

Attracting foreign investment: In a competitive global landscape, Malaysia must effectively leverage its new investment incentives to attract high-quality foreign investments.

Managing inflationary pressures: With increased spending and minimum wage hikes, the government needs to monitor and manage potential inflationary effects.

Ensuring equitable growth: The budget aims to address economic disparities, but effective implementation will be crucial to ensure that benefits reach all segments of society.

Malaysia's 2025 budget of RM421 billion represents a bold step towards economic transformation and social progress. By balancing fiscal prudence with strategic investments in key sectors, the government aims to position Malaysia for sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive global economy.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the budget's alignment with the MADANI Economy framework, stating, "Our commitment to prudent debt management and the transition to targeted subsidies are central to fiscal reform, ensuring a sustainable and strong financial position for Malaysia".

As Malaysia moves forward with this ambitious budget, the coming years will be crucial in determining its success in achieving its economic goals while improving the lives of its citizens. The effective implementation of the proposed reforms and initiatives will be key to realizing the vision of a prosperous and inclusive Malaysia.