Malaysia Oversight

Nation’s 17% debt service ratio is concerning, says Dr Wee

By theStar in November 4, 2025 – Reading time 1 minute
Nation's 17% debt service ratio is concerning, says Dr Wee



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PETALING JAYA: Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) has expressed alarm over the government’s debt service ratio, which stands at 17% of annual revenue.

In a Facebook post uploaded on Wednesday (Nov 4), Dr Wee said he raised the issue during the winding-up speech on the Budget 2026 Policy Stage Debate in the Dewan Rakyat.

“During the winding-up speech on the 2026 Budget Policy Stage Debate in the Dewan Rakyat earlier, Deputy Finance Minister II, Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, I raised concern over the 17% debt service ratio, the proportion of the Government’s annual revenue used to pay interest on national debt,” he said.

Dr Wee said the situation is worrying because 17% of the Government’s annual income is spent solely on interest payments, not even on the principal debt itself.

“This is alarming because 17% of government’s annual income is used only to pay debt interest only, not the debt,” he said.

He added that the Deputy Finance Minister II informed the Dewan Rakyat that his Ministry is taking various measures to keep the debt service ratio under control.

 



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