26/01/2026

MONDAY | JAN 26, 2026

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Relief, but where’s capability building? W HEN Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled Budget 2026, one of the most families are in distress. The fundamental issue is not a lack of compassion; rather, it is the absence of a mechanism that links alleviation to advancement. In a nation where wealth disparities endure and youth unemployment remains persistently high, fiscal instruments must be crafted to empower rather than simply placate. COMMENT By Galvin Lee Kuan Sian

Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias recently released the latest statistic on the number of Malaysians who have relinquished their citizenship in the past five years. The figure is shattering and overwhelming. Did 61,000 Malaysians wake up one morning and casually decide to surrender their citizenship? They did so over five years – steadily, deliberately and overwhelmingly in one direction – Singapore. The fact alone should shatter the comforting myth that this is merely about “personal choice” or “family reasons”. When 93.78% of those renouncing Malaysian citizenship choose one neighbouring country, the issue is not migration; it is systemic failure. Citizenship, in theory, is supposed to represent belonging, opportunity and protection. But for a growing number of Malaysians – especially those in their prime working years – it has become an economic handicap. Lower wages, slower career widely discussed measures was the government’s decision to once again provide a RM100 cash payment to every Malaysian adult aged 18 and above under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programmes. According to the Finance Ministry, the payment will reach roughly 22 million adults, functioning as a short term cushion for households facing cost-of-living pressures ahead of festive seasons. The measure is unequivocally popular. In an economic environment characterised by inflationary stress and stagnant salaries, even a little transfer might alleviate the burden of everyday necessities. The action is politically inclusive and administratively uncomplicated, where everyone is eligible, and everyone gains advantages. However, underneath its superficial allure exists a more profound policy question: Is this simply a transaction, or can it evolve into a component of a wider revolution in Malaysia’s support for its citizens? There is no doubt that many Malaysians will welcome the cash. The previous round of Sara assistance saw a large majority of recipients spend the money within days, a sign of genuine need and the immediacy of economic stress. The government’s total commitment of around RM15 billion to cash aid in 2026 demonstrates an earnest desire to help. But one-off

Budget 2026 rightly places people at the centre of economic recovery. The RM100 gesture is a nod to inclusivity and empathy. Yet for Malaysia to move from safety nets to springboards, future budgets must increasingly blend short-term assistance with long-term empowerment. Helping citizens cope with today’s prices is essential but helping them command tomorrow’s income is transformative. The 2026 cash aid measure is understandable and politically defensible. It reaches everyone, it arrives fast and it signals that the government is listening. But it also exposes a missed opportunity to pivot from relief to resilience. The difference between a transfer and a transformation lies in what follows the payment – whether it becomes a brief respite or the foundation of a stronger, more skilled society. Malaysia has proven adept at distributing money efficiently. The next challenge is to distribute opportunity with the same zeal. Only then can the promise of shared prosperity move beyond the wallet, and into the fabric of everyday capability. GalvinLee Kuan Sian is a PhD researcher in marketing at the Asia Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya and is a lecturer and programme coordinator in business at a private college in Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Helping citizens cope with today’s prices is essential but helping them command tomorrow’s income is transformative. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

upskilling programmes provided by MDEC, HRD Corp or community colleges. These inexpensive linkages would transform aid from a simple disbursement into a catalyst for engagement in the formal sector. More importantly, the government could measure not only distribution efficiency but also impact on how recipients spend, whether short-term consumption translates into improved welfare and whether complementary support mechanisms reach those who need them most. Transparency in outcomes would allow future budgets to refine targeting without politicising assistance. Critics may dismiss monetary assistance as a populist policy; yet, such a judgement is unfair when

burdensome yet socially superficial. Cash transfers need not be abandoned, but they can be reimagined. Instead of treating them purely as consumption boosters, the government could use such programmes to signal a parallel commitment to capability building. A portion of future aid could be linked to optional redemption for short term courses, vocational certifications or entrepreneurship toolkits, enabling recipients to convert temporary assistance into skills and employability. Basic behavioural nudges may enhance efficacy. In addition to disbursement notifications, beneficiaries could receive links to budgeting tools, micro-investment opportunities or details regarding

mobility, rising living costs and weak social safety nets make remaining Malaysian not an act of loyalty, but a financial sacrifice. The numbers tell a brutal story. The largest group relinquishing citizenship are aged 21 to 40 – young professionals, skilled workers and parents raising families. These are precisely the people Malaysia claims it wants to retain. Instead, it is “exporting” them. Women lead this exodus. It is not simply due to marriage that 35,000 women have renounced citizenship. It reflects how Malaysia’s policies repeatedly place women in impossible positions – between family unity and legal status, between children’s security and national allegiance. When the system forces families to choose, families will choose survival over symbolism. The Singapore factor exposes an uncomfortable truth. Malaysia competes directly with Singapore – and is losing badly. Not because Singapore “steals” our people, but because it offers what Malaysia increasingly does not – handouts, however well intentioned, are not a substitute for building lasting financial capability. A fixed RM100 payment offers temporary relief for a few days’ expenses, but it fails to significantly bolster future resilience. Instead, it jeopardises the perpetuation of a dependency cycle because individuals rely on Putrajaya for temporary relief instead of avenues to enhanced earning potential. The universality of the payment, albeit politically attractive, undermines its economic specificity: High-income beneficiaries obtain the same amount as low-income individuals, diminishing the potential effect on those that require assistance the most. Over time, this extensive distribution may become financially

CIQ entrance a disgrace to our tourism DURING a recent trip to Johor, I was taken aback by the deplorable state of the CIQ entrance area. For a location that serves as the land gateway into Malaysia, and one frequented by millions of visitors every year, its condition was nothing short of embarrassing. Looking for a decent place to eat, I was shocked at what I found. neglect and poor hygiene? Cleanliness, food presentation and basic hygiene are fundamental to Malaysia’s image as a food paradise. Street food and casual eateries are part of our charm, but charm should never mean filth. The authorities need to strictly enforce proper hygiene standards, especially at such prominent entry points and tourist zones.

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

When citizenship becomes a liability NATIONAL Registration Department Director-General

predictable wages, dignified work, efficient governance and a future that feels planned rather than improvised. Yet instead of asking why citizens leave, we cling to rigid citizenship laws that punish global mobility. Malaysia’s refusal to recognise dual citizenship may satisfy legal purists, but in practice it pushes talented Malaysians into permanent exit rather than continued engagement. Citizenship revocation for voting abroad may be constitutional but it is also self defeating. In a globalised economy, this rigidity does not protect sovereignty; it shrinks it. No country can patriotism shame its way out of an economic problem. People do not abandon Malaysia because they hate it. They leave because Malaysia is no longer working for them. If this trend continues, the question will no longer be how many Malaysians are leaving but who will still be left to build the country.

The eatery we finally entered was dirty, with sticky and slippery floors that felt like an accident waiting to happen. The white plastic chairs looked as if they had survived a battlefield, and the tables were grimy. The food served was cold, and to add to the scene, a fly hovered over the dishes. Plastic cutlery – flimsy and unsuitable for rice and fish, was offered, and I had to ask for proper metal utensils. The kitchen and workers looked untidy, their uniforms stained and appearance unkempt. It was a truly disappointing experience, more so because I am aware of the tremendous tourism potential. With Singaporeans being among Malaysia’s most frequent visitors, their first impression is formed right there at the CIQ area. What kind of image are we projecting when the very places meant to welcome and serve them reflect

As Malaysians, we take pride in our food culture; it is one of our strongest forms of soft power. But pride alone is not enough. If we cannot ensure a clean, pleasant and safe eating environment, we risk losing credibility with the very visitors who sustain our tourism economy. The CIQ and its surrounding facilities deserve immediate attention. The Grab waiting area is poorly designed; we were nearly drenched walking to our car. The planners completely overlooked the necessity of a roof for passengers. Cleanliness, a welcoming atmosphere and our signature Malaysian hospitality – coupled with a great environment – are not luxuries; they are basic requirements for any nation seeking to be a premier tourist destination. Ravindran Raman Kutty Kuala Lumpur

K.T. Maran Seremban