Malaysia budgets for 19th straight deficit

Kuala Lumpur

WITH an eye on the 2018 general election, Malaysian Finance Minister Najib Razak tabled a budget for 2016 that appeared to pay particular attention to his administration's target groups: the Malays, rural folk, civil servants, and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Mr Najib, who is also Prime Minister, increased the minimum wage by RM100 (S$33), gave an additional RM50 in cash aid under the BR1M programme, and offered more generous tax relief to middle-class income earners.