The Malaysian government raised its allocation from RM500 million to RM900 million to build 6,000 new classrooms across the country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on May 16, 2026, responding to an increase in student enrolment and classroom needs, particularly for Year One pupils [1, 2].
The initial 2026 Budget set aside RM400 million to construct 2,500 classrooms involving more than 800 schools. After reassessing demand, the government nearly doubled its investment in classroom infrastructure to better accommodate the growing school population [1, 2].
Anwar said the education investment aims to develop human capital skilled in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, while maintaining moral values and cultural identity [1, 2]. He emphasized the need to support small Bumiputera contractors, noting, "If their performance is good, I will ensure that under the government's evaluation system, they are given bigger contracts so they can expand. That is my commitment. We do not want them to remain forever as small contractors" [1].
To help small contractors grow, the government raised the tender ceiling for small projects from RM500,000 to RM1 million, allowing broader participation in government contracts [1, 2]. The Education Ministry and Public Works Department have been instructed to expedite projects undertaken by these contractors [2].
The expanded classroom construction plan will provide a crucial boost in school infrastructure amid rising demand for educational spaces. The government’s next step will focus on awarding contracts and accelerating the building process for the 6,000 planned classrooms across Malaysia.
