Letter to Editor
FINANCE Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan reports that Malaysia’s economy grew by 5.7% in the first half of 2026.
This is encouraging, but the Government cannot expect Malaysians to celebrate GDP figures when many households are still struggling to make ends meet.
The Government needs to answer a simple question: where is this growth being felt by the rakyat?
For ordinary families including young adults, economic performance is not measured by GDP alone.
It is measured by the price of groceries, housing, transport, education and other daily necessities, and, how much balance remains at the end of the month.
If the economy is performing strongly, yet families continue to feel financially stretched, then the Government needs to look beyond headline figures and examine whether economic growth is translating into higher real incomes and greater purchasing power.
Beliawanis MCA calls on the Government to focus on raising productivity and wages, strengthening SMEs and reducing unnecessary costs of doing business.
Businesses need room to grow and create better-paying jobs, rather than being weighed down by rising compliance and operating costs that eventually filter down to consumers.
Short-term cash assistance can provide temporary relief, but it cannot become the Government’s long-term answer to the cost-of-living problem.
Malaysians want more than impressive economic statistics. They want better wages, affordable essentials, stronger savings and greater financial security.
A 5.7% growth rate is good news. However, the real measure of success is whether the rakyat can feel that growth in their wallets and their daily lives.—Sept 4, 2026
Ivone Low Yi Wen is chairperson for Beliawanis MCA.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
