The government can bump up its debt level to improve the well-being of the people and ensure that the country’s economic recovery agenda is on track, but the spending has to be prudent.

Economists feel that the deficit target revision was not unexpected as the government currently needs to be ahead of the curve to provide support and stimulate the economy amid a slowing pace in investments from the private sector.

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the...