KUALA LUMPUR, 13 October 2025 – Think City welcomes the announcement of Budget 2026, tabled by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, which reinforces Malaysia’s long-term commitment to shaping cities that are sustainable, liveable and inclusive as a foundation for national progress and shared prosperity. 

“Budget 2026 reflects the country’s determination to build a nation that is not only economically strong, but socially and environmentally resilient,” said Dato’ Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director of Think City. “It reinforces that city-making is a collective endeavour, one that connects policy, investment and community action to improve quality of life for all Malaysians.”

The positive momentum behind the Warisan KL initiative exemplifies how urban regeneration can restore vitality, identity and confidence in the capital. The preservation and adaptive reuse of landmarks such as Carcosa Seri Negara, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and Kompleks Dayabumi reflect a shared commitment to revitalising Kuala Lumpur’s historic core - not just as a cultural and economic hub, but as a symbol of national unity. It demonstrates how culture, heritage and place-based planning become powerful tools to stimulate enterprise, attract investment, nurture civic pride and social connection across communities.

Cultural and creative industries continue to be key enablers of inclusive urban growth. The Budget’s investment in UNESCO heritage sites such as Lenggong Valley, Gunung Mulu and FRIM Forest Park, along with incentives for creative economy, bolster Malaysia’s national identity and strengthen its position as a regional hub for culture and innovation.

Budget 2026’s focus on improving public housing, community facilities and local infrastructure marks a meaningful shift toward people-centred development. Upgrading PPR infrastructure, maintaining strata housing and improving community facilities are vital steps toward reducing social and spatial inequality. Sustained community engagement will be critical to ensuring lasting impact.

Strategic investments in public transport, Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) reinforce the central role of connectivity in urban life. Enhanced mobility systems expand access to jobs, education and healthcare while supporting Malaysia’s transition toward compact, low-carbon cities. Complementing these efforts, the Budget’s investments in flood mitigation, slope safety and nature-based infrastructure affirm that environmental stability is essential to economic resilience.

“Budget 2026 moves the focus from growth for its own sake to growth that fosters quality of life. It recognises that social wellbeing, economic opportunity and environmental resilience are interconnected. Success will depend on implementation, monitoring and collaboration across all sectors – government, private enterprise and communities alike,” added Hamdan Abdul Majeed. 

Guided by the leadership of Think City’s Board of Directors and working in strategic partnership with Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Yayasan Hasanah, Think City continues to advance this mission by fostering collaboration, innovation and evidence-based urban solutions that strengthen Malaysia’s capacity for sustainable city-making – in pursuit of a MADANI society that is compassionate, cohesive and future-ready.