PETALING JAYA: The Madani government will continue engaging directly with the people at the grassroots level instead of waiting for them to seek help at government offices, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said he had instructed ministries to deploy officers to markets in Kuala Lumpur next week to engage with traders and young entrepreneurs to better understand their needs.
“This is a Madani government that goes down to help the people, not one that waits in offices.
“I have asked them to go down to the markets in Kuala Lumpur next week to provide information and ask the traders whether they have capital and adequate facilities,” he said when officiating the National Youth Day 2026 celebration in Negri Sembilan on Friday (May 15).
Citing a recent study by the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), Anwar said poverty levels among small traders and youths in Kuala Lumpur remained concerning, with only around 6% having received financing assistance.
“In the latest KRI study, among small traders and youths in Kuala Lumpur, many are still poor. Only around 6% received loans,” he said.
He said ministries should not wait for youths to come to government offices, but instead proactively reach out to them.
Anwar also called on youths to work together with the government in addressing the country’s challenges.
“I need the cooperation of young people who can think calmly to solve the problems we are facing,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the government had already allocated RM15.5bil under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiatives.
He added that discussions held recently with agencies including Majlis Amanah Rakyat, SME Corp Malaysia, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and Tekun Nasional involved nearly RM6bil in financing for youths and small traders.
“This country must be compassionate and attentive to the needs at the grassroots level,” he said.
