Framing disability in Malaysian federal budget speeches: A discourse analysis of disability policy narratives (2016-2026)

Abstract

Disability policy plays a crucial role in shaping opportunities and social participation for persons with disabilities (PWDs). While existing research has examined disability policy frameworks in Malaysia, fewer studies have explored how disability is represented within official government policy discourse. This thesis examines how disability is framed in Malaysian federal budget speeches from 2016 to 2026 and what these framings reveal about underlying policy approaches. The study adopts a qualitative discourse analysis informed by social constructionism and framing theory. Malaysian federal budget speeches were analysed as key policy texts that communicate government priorities and justify public expenditure decisions. Disability-related references were coded to identify recurring policy frames. Six dominant frames were identified: welfare and protection; accessibility and service access; symbolic recognition; education and developmental support; employment and economic participation; and care and rehabilitation support. The findings show that disability is frequently positioned within broader narratives of vulnerable populations, social welfare programmes, and national development. While some references reflect elements of the social model of disability, welfare-oriented narratives remain prominent. Importantly, the findings highlight a gap between rights-based policy commitments and their implementation, with disability governance remaining largely programme-based and lacking strong enforcement mechanisms. Overall, this study demonstrates how disability is positioned within Malaysian policy discourse and contributes to broader discussions on disability policy and governance.