ADDRESSING the rising cost of living in Malaysia has emerged as the central pillar of the government’s agenda, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim outlining a broad strategy to shield citizens from mounting economic pressures driven by the global energy crisis.
The administration is prioritising immediate and long-term interventions to ease financial strain on households, while coordinating national policies to mitigate the wider economic impact of escalating global fuel and energy prices.
“Regarding the increase in the people’s cost of living, the government is actively taking immediate and comprehensive measures to ensure the people are protected and supported in the short term and long term from the current economic pressures,” Anwar said.
“This development is continuously monitored and addressed by the government from the early stages to ensure that its direct impact on the country’s economy can be minimised.”
Alongside economic measures, the government is reinforcing national defence and security as a key component of stability, underscoring the importance of safeguarding both public welfare and institutional resilience.
A notable shift in development priorities has also been emphasised, with greater focus placed on smaller, high-impact projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan rather than large-scale ventures.
These include initiatives aimed at improving local infrastructure, upgrading facilities for small traders, and delivering tangible benefits at the community level.
Efforts are also being intensified to accelerate the implementation of approved projects, with the federal government seeking to resolve administrative and land-related constraints that have historically delayed progress.
Particular attention is being directed towards strengthening the grassroots economy, especially in areas such as Kuantan, where support for traders and small businesses is seen as vital to raising income levels and sustaining livelihoods.
At the same time, broader social priorities remain in focus, including tackling hardcore poverty, enhancing access to education through expanded classroom capacity, and monitoring crime and overall community well-being.
The Prime Minister also reiterated the importance of inclusive governance and public engagement in navigating current challenges.
“I also call on all the people of Pahang and all Malaysians to pray together that our nation remains in a controlled situation, able to endure and overcome the economic challenges that continue to hit us,” he said recently.
Education Spending to Remain
The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding education funding and accelerating school-related projects despite mounting global economic pressures linked to the energy crisis.
Anwar said priority will be given to ensuring that educational infrastructure projects are implemented without delay, particularly smaller-scale initiatives that directly benefit students and institutions.
“Our current stance is to ensure that projects (educational facilities) are approved and implemented immediately. There is no reason to delay approved projects, except for large-scale ones that require a longer timeframe.
“However, smaller projects, especially in education and healthcare, will be prioritised,” he said during a meet-and-greet session at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Clifford Kuala Kangsar today.
He warned that global conflicts and regional tensions have forced many countries to divert resources towards security, often at the expense of education. “Many countries, due to conflicts and disputes with neighbouring countries and regions, are forced to allocate significant funds for security.
“As a result, funding for education tends to be sidelined. Future generations will certainly be affected when the quality of education and its facilities decline,” he added.
Anwar also stressed that education must go beyond infrastructure, highlighting the importance of values and character-building within the system to develop morally grounded future generations.
On specific requests from the Old Cliffordians’ Association, he said additional proposals would be deferred until economic conditions improve, although several ongoing projects have been approved for expedited implementation. “When I say expedite, I am instructing the district office to work together to ensure that these projects must commence no later than two weeks after my visit,” he said.
At the event, the Prime Minister witnessed the presentation of a RM296,000 allocation for conservation works on a historic hospital building within the school compound, with completion targeted for August next year. - April 4, 2026
