byNovanAmirudin,GroupChiefExecutiveOfficerofCIMBGroup
Friday,9October2026, Malaysia’sMADANIjourneyreflectsadeliberateshifttowardsbalancingshort-termsupportwithlong-termsustainability,anchoredontheprinciplethatfiscalresponsibilityandcommonprosperitymustgohandinhand.Thereformagendaseeksbothtoraisetheceilingandraisethefloor:raisingtheceilingbystrengtheningMalaysia’scompetitiveness,attractingqualityinvestments,fosteringinnovationandacceleratingeconomicupgrading;andraisingthefloorbyensuringthatgrowthtranslatesintobetteropportunities,strongersocialprotectionandimprovedlivingstandardsforallMalaysians.
Fiscalconsolidationhasbeenachievedthroughtargetedsubsidyrationalisation,abroaderandmoreprogressiverevenuebase,bettergovernanceandreducedleakages,whilecushioningvulnerablehouseholdsthroughstrengthenedsocialassistance.Atthesametime,reformsincreasinglyfocusonretirementadequacy,socialprotection,skillsdevelopment,productivityenhancementandeconomicupgrading,reflectingabroaderambitiontobuildaneconomythatdeliversnotjustgrowth,butalivingwage,greatereconomicmobilityandadignifiedstandardoflivingforeveryrakyat.
Forthebankingsector,thesereformscreateamorestablemacroeconomicenvironment,strengtheninvestorconfidenceandsupportMalaysia’sattractivenessasaninvestmentdestination.Theyalsocreateopportunitiestomobilisecapitaltowardspriorityareassuchasindustrialupgrading,infrastructure,energytransition,innovationandfinancialinclusion.Inthisway,banksbecomenotonlybeneficiariesofreform,butactivepartnersinadvancingsustainablegrowth,economicresilienceandcommonprosperity.Forexample,CIMBrecentlylaunchedCIMBLite-iCreditCard,ano frills,creditcarddesignedforMalaysiansseekingapracticalcreditfacilitywithlowerfinancingcostsandflexiblerepaymentsolutions.
