KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Government cost-saving measures in drafting Budget 2027 will not affect the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) key plans, particularly in the recruitment of new teachers and the construction of additional classrooms, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She also assured that the measures would not disrupt beneficiaries of the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT), which she described as essential for students’ nutritional intake.

In addition, Fadhlina said that repairs to dilapidated schools and building maintenance will continue as usual.

“We do not want the public to feel anxious or worried. Although the call for cost-saving measures is very important and critical at this time, I would like to assure that it will not affect or disrupt matters closely related to the ministry’s priorities,” she said.

She said this when met by reporters after officiating the international symposium on literature, translation and artificial intelligence at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here today.

Fadhlina said the MOE will also ensure that any cost-saving measures will not affect the rollout of the new curriculum next year, as well as the intake of six-year-old children into Year One.

On May 29, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted that Budget 2027 will be drafted with greater emphasis on cost-saving measures amid mounting global economic pressures affecting the country’s fiscal position, including those involving the MOE and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said global geopolitical uncertainties - including escalating tensions following attacks by the United States and its ally Israel on Iran - have impacted the global economy, thus requiring more prudent government spending.

Meanwhile, regarding the RM100 book voucher for secondary school students under the MOE and students of public higher education institutions (IPTAs), announced by the Prime Minister during the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2026 last Friday, Fadhlina said it will be distributed once the school session resumes. — Bernama