PENAMPANG — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Madani Government has implemented strict cost-cutting measures across ministries, with the savings fully redirected towards programmes and initiatives that benefit the people.

He said allocations for ministries would be reduced for non-essential spending, although critical sectors such as education, healthcare and basic infrastructure, including in Sabah, would be spared.

Anwar said the cost-cutting measures include limiting ministers’ overseas trips, except for mandatory meetings under international platforms such as Asean, Brics and Apec.

“All study visits and similar trips have been cancelled at the federal level. Even for official visits, if a delegation previously consisted of six people, it is now reduced to two. If the accommodation was a Royal Suite, it is now downgraded to a Junior Suite,” he said.

Anwar said this when officiating the Sabah-level Kaamatan Festival 2026 celebration at Hongkod Koisaan, the headquarters of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), here today.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also chairman of the Sabah Kaamatan Festival 2026 organising committee, and KDCA president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Apart from overseas travel, Anwar said government training programmes are now being held at government-owned facilities instead of luxury hotels.