Good news for everyone, says chief secretary to the Government - Budget 2026 update

Aug 13, 2026

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Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar hinted that Malaysia’s 2026 Budget will include positive announcements benefiting civil servants and all Malaysians. He declined to disclose specifics, saying the Budget will be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament next month. Speaking at the 4th National Research Conference on Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption, he linked AI-driven governance to measurable outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and preparedness to manage new AI-related risks, especially corruption.

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2026 Budget hints

Benefits for civil servants and all Malaysians

Timing and non-disclosure of details

AI, governance and anti-corruption

AI productivity and public-sector study

Cost-effectiveness and measurable results

Managing AI-era corruption risks

Good news foreveryone,sayschief secretaryto government MS719.9·2025 MS·3 SEPANG:Chief Secretary to theGovernment Tan Sri ShamsulAzri Abu Bakar has hinted thatthe 2026 Budget will include pos-itive announcements not only forcivil servants,but all Malaysians. He declined to reveal details,noting that the budget will betabled by Prime Minister DatukSeri Anwar Ibrahim in Parlia-ment next month. "There will definitely be goodnews,but I cannot share it yetItwon't disappoint. "It will benefit civil servantsand the people.This is a Madanigovernment—one that is caringand attentive to the needs of therakyat,"he said after opening the4th National Research Confer-ence on Governance,Integrityand Anti-Corruption here. Shamsul Azri said he wouldpresent a study on the“AI pro-ductivity paradox”to the cabi- The study,he said,was beingrefined by the Malaysia Produc- TARIKH:19 SEPTEMBER 2025(JUMAAT) BRITA HARIAN口UTUSAN M'SIA口N.STRAITS TIME THE STAR Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar(centre)officiating the 4th NationalResearch Conference on Governance,Integrity and Anti-Corruption in Sepang.With him are MalaysianAnti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki (second from right),Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar (second from left),Deputy Chief Secretary(Prime Minister'sDepartment)Datuk Abd Shukor Mahmood(right)and Malaysian Integrity Institute chief executiveofficer Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud.NSTPPIC BY MOHD FADLIHAMZAH He said the rapid pace of smarttechnology under the Fourth In-dustrial Revolution was reshap-ing how people communicate,work and make decisions. government departments up to amonth to submit a study on theimpact of AI on public sector pro-ductivity. tivity Corporation,the NationalInstitute of Public Administra-tion and the Digital Ministry. "It is crucial to ensure that ev-ery ringgit spent on digitalisationand artificial intelligence initia-tives delivers measurable results. Shamsul Azri said Malaysiamust prepare for governancechallenges in the AI era,espe-cially in combating corruption. This requires the public sectorto strengthen its preparedness inmanaging new risks posedby AI. "That is why we need to eval-uate cost-effectiveness.Every ex-penditure must bring real impactand the best possible returns forthe government,"he said. He said the public sector muststrengthen its preparedness tomanage new risks posed by AI asthe country aims to become anAI-driven economy by 2030 un-der the 13th Malaysia Plan. “The use of AI in corruptionprevention is expanding worldwide,particularly in the publicsector,procurement andenforce-ment.” Anwar had previously given thechief secretary and all heads of

FAQs

What did the Chief Secretary hint about the 2026 Budget?

He hinted that the 2026 Budget will include positive announcements that benefit civil servants and all Malaysians.

Why weren’t the Budget details released immediately?

He declined to reveal specifics, noting the Budget will be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament next month.

How did the Chief Secretary connect the Budget discussion to AI governance?

He said every ringgit spent on digitalisation and AI initiatives must deliver measurable results, and the public sector must strengthen preparedness for new AI-related risks, particularly corruption.

Aug 13, 2026

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