The government is implementing strict cost-cutting measures involving ministerial and ministry expenditures, with all savings being fully redirected towards public welfare, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said unnecessary spending across ministries will be reduced, while critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure development, including in Sabah, will remain protected.
Anwar added that official overseas trips by ministers will be limited to essential meetings such as ASEAN, BRICS, and APEC engagements, while non-essential visits and study trips will be cancelled.
He also said delegation sizes will be reduced and accommodation standards downgraded as part of broader efforts to ensure more prudent government spending.
In addition, government programmes and training sessions will now be held at government facilities instead of luxury hotels to further cut costs.
The prime minister said savings from these measures, combined with improved governance, have enabled the government to channel about RM15.5 billion back to the people through various initiatives.
These include cash assistance programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), school facility upgrades, and book vouchers for students nationwide.
On foreign policy, Anwar stressed that Malaysia continues to adopt a principled “centrality” approach, which emphasises independence in stance and active engagement on global issues.
He said this approach has also helped strengthen Malaysia’s trade and investment ties with major economies such as the United States and China for the benefit of the nation.
