25/07/2025

FRIDAY | JULY 25, 2025

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Sejahtera Madani initiative launched to rid poverty o Govt pushing for greater public-private sector partnerships to deliver sustainable support for income generation, education, housing and welfare: PM Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

ISTANBUL: Malaysia is targeting the transfer of defence technology from Turkiye in several identified areas by the end of this year, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said technology transfer is crucial for developing the country’s defence industry led by local companies, particularly in areas such as management systems, maintenance, repair and overhaul of naval weaponry and the operation of unmanned aircraft systems. “We have identified Malaysian companies that will meet with companies from Turkiye to work PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hit back at critics of the RM100 cash aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah scheme, urging Malaysians to see it through the eyes of struggling households that depend on every ringgit to get by. “Some might say, ‘it is just RM100’. If you earn RM20,000 or RM40,000 a month, of course it seems minor. “I’ve seen first-hand how much it matters in rural areas,” said Anwar, who is also the finance minister, during the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. He pointed out that the RM100 is part of a wider, phased financial support framework. For a household comprising a married couple and two adult children, total assistance is RM400, and when combined with Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah payments, the figure could rise to RM700. “The main issue isn’t how much we allocate, it’s how well we manage it. We must end the culture of boros (extravagance) and sakau (misappropriation).” Responding to a criticism from the Opposition on the policy to stop subsidies for foreigners, Anwar didn’t hold back. “We’ve been clear that foreigners will have to pay market prices. That’s our policy. But then opposition leader (Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin) questioned why we are burdening them. I find that baffling. What do you expect us to do? “He’s free to criticise me. I don’t mind. But it’s strange how, in Malaysia, some people act as if we’re oppressing others or taking away their rights. This isn’t about taxing them, it’s about subsidies. “We’re not imposing fuel taxes. We are simply removing the 50 sen per litre subsidy we’ve been providing. And only for foreigners, not Malaysians. In their own countries – Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia – fuel prices are already over RM2.50 per litre. “We’re merely aligning with global market norms. Yet even that becomes a point of contention.” Anwar said the government remains committed to targeted subsidies, especially for the B40 group, and is now extending benefits to the M40 group as well, through initiatives such as reduced toll rates and lower fuel prices. He highlighted the recent deferral of toll hikes on 10 major highways and the planned reduction of RON95 fuel to RM1.99 per litre. “M40 families that drive more and use toll roads more often will feel the difference. These aren’t short-term populist handouts. They are deliberate, meaningful steps forward.” “These measures – RM100 cash aid, toll deferments and fuel price cuts – won’t fix everything overnight. But they show our commitment to responsible, people-first governance, rolled out in time for Merdeka and Malaysia Day.” Anwar hits back at critics of RM100 cash aid Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors to eradicate hardcore poverty, stressing that targeted interventions must be consistent, inclusive and sustained. Launching the Sejahtera Madani initiative (Malaysia Madani People’s Well-being Initiative) at Kompleks Seri Perdana yesterday, he said while data points to progress in tackling extreme poverty, the government is pushing for more, via a whole-of-nation approach. “Our goal, as a Cabinet, is to begin putting a full stop to hardcore poverty. Based on data from 2023 and 2024, we have managed to reduce it significantly, although the full figures will be released later.” A total of 306,403 heads of households are registered in the national eKasih system as of July 15, according to the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department. Of these, 1,017 are categorised as hardcore poor while 305,386 fall under the poor category. The government has set a target of reducing poverty by 33% by the end of the year. The Sejahtera Madani initiative, spearheaded by the ICU, brings together ministries, agencies and corporate partners to deliver sustainable, high-impact support across four key pillars – income generation, education, housing and welfare. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the initiative had exceeded expectations by raising nearly RM120 million, far surpassing its initial target of RM50 million. “I said if Sejahtera Madani could raise RM50 million, that would already be a success, and the government could top it up a bit. But today, the amount has not only doubled but also gone far beyond that. “The initiative has now raised nearly RM120 million. This is a meaningful project, and we want to drive this nation to become strong and great.” Several companies have stepped up to contribute to the Sejahtera Madani initiative, including Berjaya Corporation Bhd, which pledged RM10 million. A mock cheque was presented to Anwar by Berjaya Land Bhd deputy chairman Datuk Seri Robin Tan. Also present at the launch were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar also acknowledged companies such as Westar, YTL, Telekom Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional and Petronas for their involvement in community efforts, including employment out suitable forms of collaboration and cooperation,” he said on Wednesday. Earlier, Mohamed Khaled held a meeting with the Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB) president Prof Dr Haluk Gorgun, in conjunction with the ongoing International Defence Industry Fair 2025. The SSB is the agency responsible for managing Turkiye’s defence industry and military technology. Mohamed Khaled also held a bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler to discuss defence cooperation between the two countries,

Anwar, Ahmad Zahid and Shamsul Azri (with songkok) with Tan (left) and other contributors during the launching ceremony at Kompleks Seri Perdana in Putrajaya yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

PUTRAJAYA: Thirty-eight corporate entities have contributed close to RM120 million to the Sejahtera Madani fund under the national level initiative designed to assist poor and hardcore poor households registered in the eKasih national poverty database. Major corporate donors to the fund are: 0 Weststar Group – RM15 million; 0 Berjaya Corporation Bhd – RM10 million; 0 YTL Corporation Bhd – RM10 million; 0 MMC Corporation Bhd – RM10 million; 0 Genting Bhd – RM10 million; 0 DRB-Hicom Bhd – RM10 million; 0 Tradewinds Group (M) Sdn Bhd / Yayasan AlBukhary – RM10 million. Mid-tier contributors: 0 Sapura Secured Technologies – RM3 million; 0 YaPEIM (Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia) – RM2.61 million. Contributors of RM1 million: 0 Malaysia Resources Corporation Bhd, 0 Peninsular Medical Sdn Bhd; 0 Yinson Holdings Bhd; 0 WCT Bhd; 38 corporate entities donate total of RM120 million 0 Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Contributors of RM500,000: 0 Selia Selenggara Selatan Sdn Bhd; 0 SD Guthrie Bhd; 0 Cypark Resources Bhd; 0 ITMAX System Bhd; 0 Nirvana Memorial Park Sdn Bhd. Others: 0 Fortress Mining Sdn Bhd – RM300,000; 0 Belati Wangsa (M) Sdn Bhd – RM250,000; 0 Petrolife Aero Sdn Bhd – RM200,000; 0 WZR Property Sdn Bhd – RM200,000; 0 AWC Bhd – RM200,000; 0 FGV Holdings Bhd – RM150,000; 0 Darul Fikir – RM100,000; 0 Farm Fresh Bhd – RM100,000; 0 Pharmaniaga Bhd – RM100,000; and 0 YHA Travel and Tours (M) Sdn Bhd – RM100,000.

initiatives, school repairs and technical training programmes. He said a standout example is the collaboration between companies and TVET institutions, enabling students to receive hands on training and industry exposure. “Some of the best models come from companies that work with TVET schools to uplift students through practical training and clear career pathways.” He described these efforts as more than symbolic, rejecting the term “adopted schools” and instead using “lifted schools”, where active involvement from top management inspires hope and motivation among underprivileged students. Anwar also addressed opposition criticism over the government’s RM1 billion allocation for school infrastructure, which he said had been misrepresented as solely for toilet upgrades. “Although we were mocked and accused of spending RM1 billion just to build school toilets, we have actually repaired 1,200 of them. “Just imagine. These were the toilets left in a state of disrepair in schools where our children and grandchildren study.” He clarified that the infrastructure effort is ongoing, with hundreds of millions also allocated to upgrading military housing. “We welcome any proposal that improves people’s lives. If a major development company says, ‘let us adopt this school, fund the repairs and manage the works ourselves,’ we’re all for it.” including the sending of Malaysian officers and personnel for training. “We discussed defence diplomacy approaches that both countries can leverage on to foster understanding with other nations and avoid conflicts.” He held bilateral talks with Azerbaijan’s Defence Industry Minister Vugar Mustafayev, during which they discussed challenges faced by Islamic countries in defence and military matters. He met Sudan’s Defence Minister Hassan Daoud Kayan and expressed Malaysia’s readiness to offer defence and military training. – Bernama

Defence technology transfer from Turkiye sought