PETALING JAYA: RM1bil under Budget 2026 has been allocated to further strengthen the "Ikhtiar Madani Untuk Rakyat" initiative, focusing on community empowerment, youth income generation and rural development.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said one of the key enhancements includes the expansion of Sejati Madani.
This expansion will now involve youths in community-based income projects such as operating vending machines and participating in agriculture ventures, particularly fertigation irrigation systems.
"In a show of commitment, national leaders and top government officials, including the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary to the Government, have personally gone to the ground to resolve issues faced by villages and schools," he said in his speech in tabling Budget 2026.
Building on this proactive approach, the government plans to increase the number of Kampung Angkat Madani (Adopted Villages) to 500 villages, and Sekolah Angkat Madani (Adopted Schools) to 1,500 schools next year, with participation from the private sector as well.
The successful Solar Madani programme, which completed the installation of 4,000 solar street lights in Sabah, will also be expanded to villages nationwide to improve safety and access to basic infrastructure, he said.
"The Sejahtera Madani, a private sector contribution programme aimed at eradicating hardcore poverty, has so far raised RM120mil, showcasing strong corporate support for national welfare efforts."
"The government expressed appreciation to all contributors, especially corporate bodies, for their involvement in the Ikhtiar Madani Untuk Rakyat programmes," he added.
Anwar said to further encourage participation, companies and individuals with business income who contribute to the Kampung Angkat, Sekolah Angkat Madani or Sejahtera Madani programmes will be eligible for income tax deductions.
"These initiatives reflect the unity of government, private sector and community efforts in uplifting the rakyat and advancing the nation under the Madani framework," he said.
