Malaysian PM Anwar’s new budget tackles graft, but critics ask: is it too late?

With his reformist credentials battered by coalition compromises and a looming general election, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has used his 2027 budget to launch a fresh wave of anti-corruption measures.

But as his government nears its four-year mark, analysts warn that restoring public confidence will require more than additional funding and tighter legislative oversight.

The measures, announced when Anwar presented Malaysia’s 2027 budget on Friday, include 1.1 billion ringgit (US$269 million) to strengthen enforcement agencies, a proposed bill to tighten oversight of government-owned entities and greater transparency in public procurement.

Yet concerns persist over the independence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), while promised reforms – including separating the roles of the attorney general and public prosecutor – remain incomplete.