00:00It is indeed my great honour to close this year's Kasarah Megatrends Forum.
00:05For the past two days, we have navigated the big question of our time.
00:09Through macro and markets, through science and philosophy, and through stories of remarkable
00:16Malaysians who inspires us all.
00:19In just a few days, Malaysia will table its budget 2026.
00:25At its core, this budget is about preparation, protecting households from today's pressure
00:32while laying the foundation for tomorrow's growth.
00:36For the family balancing the monthly budget, or the young Malaysians searching for their
00:41first job, uncertainty is not an idea, it is a lived reality.
00:48Budget 2026 is designed with them at its heart.
00:52Take our Budi 95, our new targeted Ron 95 subsidy programme.
00:59For everyday Malaysians, it keeps fuel affordable.
01:03For the nation, it closes subsidy leakages and frees up between RM2.5 billion to RM4 billion
01:10annually.
01:11Money that can better redirect for better schools, stronger healthcare and modern infrastructure.
01:19Relief for families and strength for Malaysia's future.
01:25Beyond few, Budget 2026 will strengthen social protection and lift household resilience.
01:33At the same time, invest in Malaysia's future.
01:38Semiconductors, energy transition, digitalisation, start-ups and industries of the future.
01:47Our direction is clear, Malaysia will re-industrialise with a new industrial master plan.
01:54Lead in semiconductor through the national semiconductor strategy, accelerate energy transition and embrace
02:02digitalisation and innovation.
02:06All these strategies share one goal, to secure better jobs, stronger businesses and brighter
02:13future for our children.
02:16The Budget also secures our fiscal foundations, narrowing the fiscal deficit to 3.8% of GDP this
02:24year, reducing reliance on debt and strengthening governance through the Fiscal Response Act 2023
02:32and the new laws on transparency.
02:36And, Budget 2026 is not a standalone exercise.
02:40It is also the opening act of the 13th Malaysia Plan, RMK 13, which will chart our costs forward
02:49from 2026 to 2030.
02:51I look forward to seeing you all again next year and to many more decades of KMF shaping ideas
02:58for Malaysia's future.
03:00Thank you very much.
03:01Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
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