GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has raised concerns over the 2027 Budget, highlighting risks in healthcare funding, subsidy sustainability and retirement security.
While acknowledging that the budget offers broad benefits to the public, CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader expressed concerns about fiscal sustainability, healthcare allocations and long-term worker protection.
Mohideen cautioned against continued reliance on blanket fuel subsidies.
"We remain apprehensive about Malaysia's RM40 billion fuel subsidy bill, as it continues to depend on global geopolitical conditions and oil prices remaining within budgeted levels.
"We want the government to adopt targeted fuel subsidies and redirect the savings towards essential goods and services," he said in a statement.
On labour reforms, Mohideen acknowledged the minimum wage increase from RM1,700 to RM2,000 per month from June next year. However, he said the government should aim for a genuine "living wage" model aligned with Bank Negara Malaysia guidelines to protect workers' purchasing power.
To address inflation concerns, he called on the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to strictly enforce anti-profiteering measures.
CAP also raised concerns over the Health Ministry's RM47.7 billion allocation, a 2.5 per cent increase from this year. It warned that the limited increase could threaten preventive healthcare programmes and put further pressure on public hospitals amid growing health challenges.
On retirement security, Mohideen criticised the decision allowing Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members aged 55 and below to use their Akaun Sejahtera savings to pay premiums for Medi-Asas medical insurance.
"With only 64 per cent of active formal members achieving the baseline RM240,000 savings target by age 55, this policy risks further eroding already inadequate retirement funds," he said.
On public safety and environmental protection, CAP welcomed several initiatives, including mandatory telematics systems for heavy commercial vehicles.
Mohideen said Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) statistics showed that 1,457 fatal road crashes involving heavy vehicles had occurred over six years.
He said the forthcoming e-commerce Bill was aimed at curbing counterfeit and substandard goods.
He also highlighted the RM65 million allocation for 2,500 community rangers recruited from Orang Asli communities and security veterans to combat poaching and illegal logging.
CAP also welcomed free public transport for schoolchildren, people with disabilities and young children. It supported environmentally friendly agricultural measures, including encouraging padi farmers to adopt integrated duck farming to control pests naturally.
"Continuous monitoring across all ministries is essential to prevent corruption, waste and overspending," Mohideen said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously said the 2027 Budget was designed to improve quality of life and promote social justice for all Malaysians through a development approach that takes into account the needs of different groups.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government was focused on addressing the everyday needs of the people.
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