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MALAYSIA has recorded its first surplus in the services account in 14 years, marking what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described as a “significant milestone” for the economy and a testament to sustained fiscal discipline.
During Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, Anwar said the services account posted a RM0.7 billion surplus in the third quarter of 2025, reversing more than a decade of deficits.
“This is a very significant figure that I want to highlight. Our deficit used to be a real problem. But in 2025, in the third quarter, we recorded a surplus for the first time and are no longer in deficit after 14 years,” he said. “After 14 years, the services sector deficit has been eliminated, and there is now a surplus of RM0.7 billion.”
He noted that the improvement was part of broader gains in the current account, which also showed positive performance in the same quarter.
Responding to a question from Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH–Tebrau) on the strengthening of the ringgit—now at its strongest level against the US dollar in nearly four years—Anwar attributed the currency’s resilience to economic planning, fiscal reforms and targeted subsidy rationalisation.
“If we look at domestic factors, the strength of the ringgit is clearly due to the policies we have implemented from the start,” he said.
“First, we introduced targeted subsidies to ensure government resources benefit those who need them most. We have stopped subsidies that did not directly help lower-income groups.”
He added that adjustments to RON95 petrol pricing had been “very positively received”, including during his recent visit to Sabah where, he said, “people were very pleased with the reduction in petrol prices”.
Turning to Sabah, Anwar reiterated that investigations into corruption allegations involving several state assemblymen—linked to a previously circulated video—remain ongoing.
“I have watched the corruption video myself, and in my view its arguments and content are strong enough to warrant investigation,” he said.
“This case is being investigated by the MACC and, according to their information, it has been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers. For now, it is a criminal case with no time limitation. Everyone needs to be patient.”
He dismissed claims that the government was protecting certain individuals, noting that two of those charged were from parties within the Unity Government.
“What the Prime Minister must do is give firm instructions not to exempt anyone, but the evidence must be strong,” he said. “What is certain is that, based on the information I have received, this case has not been deleted and has not been closed.”
Addressing a separate query on the use of government assets during political events in Sabah, Anwar insisted that official vehicles were used strictly for security and protocol reasons.
“There were no government programmes in Sabah; all the events were party campaigns. I have already explained this in Parliament,” he said.
“If that is the case, what car should I use? Government vehicles are indeed allowed to be used by the Prime Minister because they involve security aspects and the need for official transport.”
He added that he had previously cancelled a proposed “Temu Anwar” session at a university to avoid involving public institutions in political activities.
“I changed the location because I did not want the university to be officially involved,” he said.
Anwar said the combination of fiscal prudence, subsidy reforms and transparent governance had contributed to stronger market confidence, allowing the ringgit to emerge as one of the best-performing currencies in Asia. - November 18, 2025
