Govt to launch Sejahtera Madani tomorrow

New Straits Times

11 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will launch the Sejahtera Madani initiative tomorrow as part of its ongoing efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty in the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the launch is a continuation of the government's commitment to ensuring that the hardcore poor and the poor continue to be assisted through joint efforts by the government and the corporate sector.
"The effort to eradicate hardcore poverty has been my priority since the beginning. Almost 150 thousand hardcore poor households in 2023 have been lifted out of the hardcore poor group by the end of 2024.
"Tomorrow, I will launch Sejahtera Madani, which is an effort to continue to ensure that the hardcore poor and the poor are properly assisted through joint efforts by the government and the corporate sector," said Anwar.
He said this at the Special Appreciation Announcement for Malaysians, which was broadcast live on all major television channels and social media platforms today.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the government has continued to improve various forms of assistance to ease the burden of the people's living expenses since the beginning of his administration.
He said among the significant steps that have been taken is the highest allocation channelled to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) at RM13 billion, which is the highest amount in history.
"(In addition), the allocation of cash assistance under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) has also been increased to RM2.9 billion, among other things, to increase the monthly welfare assistance rate for the elderly and children from poor families," he said.
Anwar said the Madani government is also clearly defending the fate of padi farmers, including raising the Padi Purchase Floor Price to RM1,500 in 2025, after increases in 2022 and 2023, besides the Padi Price Subsidy Scheme Rate also being increased to RM500 in 2023.
In the commodity sector, he said the government also increased the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) to RM3 per kilogramme in 2024, after increases given in 2022 and 2023.
Anwar today also announced a one-off RM100 grant to every adult citizen aged 18 and above under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme, a postponement of toll rate increases for 10 highways, and a lower RON95 subsidy price of RM1.99 per litre.
He said several more new measures and initiatives would be introduced in the 2026 Budget scheduled to be presented in October.
"This (the initiative announced today) is at least a temporary measure. By the end of 2025, Insyaalah, we will improve with a clear commitment to provide benefits in 2026 in the Budget 2026 in October," he said.
He said the Madani Government is committed to continuing to steer the country's administration more responsibly by introducing policies and actions that can guarantee comfort for the people. -- BERNAMA