KUCHING: Key policy shifts including e-invoicing, sales and service tax (SST) expansion, and Budget 2026 take centre stage at the 2026 Sarawak Budget Conference, which opened today at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Held over two days from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, the conference carries the theme “Empowering People, Advancing Prosperity, Building A Resilient Future” and brings together policymakers, economists, regulators and industry leaders to unpack fiscal priorities, compliance changes and Sarawak’s development direction under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
The agenda is divided into two tracks. Day One focuses on Sarawak’s Budget 2026 priorities and fiscal direction, while Day Two examines the implications of the Madani Budget 2026 for states and business communities.
Day One opens with “Budget 2026: Deep Dive into Malaysia & Sarawak’s Fiscal Direction”, featuring Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid. The session analyses Malaysia’s and Sarawak’s 2026 fiscal outlook, covering sustainable growth, fiscal reform, public investment and how Sarawak’s budget aligns with the Madani framework.
This is followed by “Sustainable Ethical Economic Growth in Sarawak through SDGs and Social Finance”, featuring SALIHIN Shariah chief executive officer Dr Ahcene Lahsasna, with a welcome address by SALIHIN founder and group managing partner Datuk Salihin Abang. The session explores SDG-aligned social finance, MSME resilience, green transition and digital inclusion.
A headline segment, “A Moment with Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia & Minister of Finance II Malaysia”, themed
“Exploring Sarawak’s Future: The Fourth Madani Budget & RMK13 as Catalysts for Growth”, features Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof and Minister of Finance II Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. It is moderated by media consultant Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar and centres on leveraging the Madani Budget and 13MP to advance Sarawak’s development, people’s well-being and green transformation.
Longer-term planning is addressed in “The Sarawak 13th Malaysia Plan” by Premier’s Department Sarawak Economic Planning Unit director Datuk Lester Matthew, outlining the state’s roadmap and priority sectors including the green economy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure modernisation and human capital development.
A fireside forum on socio-economic growth follows, moderated by independent journalist Kamarul Bahrin Haron, with panellists Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, former MIDA deputy CEO Datuk Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) associate professor Dr Evan Lau Poh Hock.
Day Two, themed “Madani Budget 2026: Implications for States and Business Communities”, begins with “E-Invoice Meets SST Revision & Expansion: Shaping Malaysia’s New Tax Landscape”, moderated by SALIHIN tax director Muhammad Aminudin Awaludin.
Panellists include assistant director general of customs and head of the internal tax division at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Almirulita Mohd Yusoff, under-secretary of the tax division at Ministry of Finance (MoF) Datuk John Patrick Antonysamy, Saniza & Co managing partner and Malaysia Institute of Accountant (MIA) president Saniza Said and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) tax operations department director (e-invoice division) Dr Rasyidah Che Rosli, focusing on compliance, audit practices and SME transition.
The MSME agenda continues with “Budget Strategy: MSMEs Through Digital Adoption”, moderated by Najib Imran, featuring SME Association of Malaysia national president Dr Chin Chee Seong, Sarawak Entrepreneur Association president Khairulnizam Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) vice president of digital adoption Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, and Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad president and group chief executive officer Datuk Ruslan Abdul Ghani, examining incentives, automation and digital tools under Budget 2026.
Trade risks are discussed in “Navigating Trade Uncertainty: Malaysia’s Response to Global Tariff Policies & Geopolitical Conflicts”, covering supply chain pressures, tariff shifts and Malaysia’s role in RCEP, CPTPP, ASEAN and BRICS.
The conference concludes with “A Moment with Premier of Sarawak”, themed “The 2026 Sarawak Budget Aspiration:
Empowering Future of Sarawak”, featuring Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, offering a direct briefing on the state’s fiscal vision, development priorities and sustainability agenda.
