IPOH 15 April 2026 (The Capital Post) – The Perak government is reviewing whether it is necessary to table a supplementary budget in response to the ongoing economic impact of the Middle East crisis, as concerns grow over food security and cost-of-living pressures.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state is currently assessing overall financial requirements before making a final decision, noting that any additional spending would be carefully considered to ensure effective crisis management.
He explained that the government is focusing on key priorities such as food security, targeted assistance for vulnerable groups, and cost-of-living support measures to help ease the burden on residents affected by rising prices.
Saarani said the state is drawing lessons from past crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, where budget adjustments and internal reallocations were used to manage unexpected economic shocks without immediately resorting to a supplementary budget.
However, he did not rule out the possibility of convening a special sitting if conditions worsen and require additional fiscal intervention to address urgent needs.
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The Perak government is also continuing welfare support programmes, including monthly assistance, food baskets, and subsidised sales initiatives aimed at helping B40 and M40 households cope with financial strain.
He added that efforts under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan include strengthening local food production to reduce dependence on imports and improve long-term food security resilience.
The review comes as global economic uncertainty linked to geopolitical tensions continues to affect commodity prices, logistics, and household expenses across the region. -The Capital Post