PETALING JAYA: The launch of the Tabung Amanah Sultan Kedah (Task) is aimed at strengthening targeted welfare support for the poor and vulnerable in Kedah, said Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.
Tengku Sarafudin said Kedah, with an estimated population of 2.2 million, continues to face socio-economic challenges, with eKasih data as of January 2026 showing 28,468 households classified as poor and 2,294 as hardcore poor.
“Behind these figures are harsh realities, families living in dilapidated homes with leaking roofs, damaged floors and without basic necessities such as beds, fans or adequate clean water.
“Poverty is not merely material deprivation. It affects dignity, health and the future of the next generation, and demands collective concern and action so that no Kedah resident is left behind,” he said at the launch at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (Feb 8).
He added that the presence of Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah of Kedah Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff reflected the royal household’s care and commitment to the welfare of the people.
Task was established with the consent of the Kedah ruler as a trusted platform to channel targeted and impactful assistance. Incorporated on Jan 15, 2025, it has also received tax exemption status under the Income Tax Act 1967 for the 2025 and 2026 assessment years.
He said the trust deed for Task was signed on Oct 20, 2022, operations began in late 2023, registration was initiated in mid-2024, and Task was officially incorporated under the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department on Jan 15, 2025.
Task has also received tax exemption approval under the Income Tax Act 1967, allowing eligible donations to qualify for tax relief for the 2025 and 2026 assessment years, a move expected to encourage wider participation from the public, government agencies and the corporate sector.
Operating through six pillars — education, social welfare, health and well-being, environmental conservation, animal protection and sports — Task has since benefited thousands. This includes support for 2,224 B40 students,
assistance to 2,117 families, health aid for 2,693 individuals and welfare programmes for 114 animals.
Since its inception, Task has supported 2,224 B40 students through initiatives such as skills development, TVET-based technology training, English proficiency programmes, job placement guarantees, special education needs support and breakfast programmes.
“Data from the Kedah Education Department showed that 74% of students with special education needs in the state have successfully continued their studies or entered the workforce after completing school,” he said.
Tengku Sarafudin said that as of 2025, Task had distributed RM2.04mil in aid in a planned and prudent manner to ensure meaningful and lasting impact.
He said Task aims to expand its reach and maximise impact across all six pillars through collaboration with the government, private sector, NGOs and communities, guided by transparent impact assessments.
