BUKIT MERTAJAM, Nov 8 — The ‘Kampung Angkat (Adopt-a-Village) Madani’ programme, introduced under the 2024 Budget, is seen as an effective initiative to ensure that leaders fully understand the realities of people’s lives and assist in addressing grassroots issues.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said under the programme, all government leaders, including ministers, deputy ministers and department heads, are required to adopt a village each to look into issues related to poverty, education and local facilities.
“When they visit the villages themselves, they will understand the real problems — from schoolchildren, the poor, to the quality of education. Only then can improvement efforts be made,” he said during the ‘Komuniversiti Kolaboratif’ programme at the Cherok Tokun football field here today.
In strengthening the spirit of community empowerment, he said the government introduced the Madani Sejati Initiative, which allows villagers to manage funds allocated directly to them without passing through ministry bureaucracies.
Through this initiative, Anwar said villagers are empowered to decide on the types of projects they wish to undertake, whether in livestock, agriculture or small businesses.
“Management is conducted by the villagers themselves, with the requirement to maintain transparent accounts and expenditure records.
“This approach reflects the ‘caring for the people’ spirit under the Madani government concept, which is not just about meeting the rakyat but also giving them space to choose and manage their own future,” he said.
The ‘Komuniversiti Kolaboratif’ programme, organised by Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) Kuala Kangsar in collaboration with the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (Yapeim), provides opportunities for over 100 university students to contribute to the Cherok Tokun community.
Activities conducted during the three-day programme, which runs until tomorrow, include ‘gotong-royong’, Forum Perdana, Fun Run, Rahmah sale and health screenings. — Bernama
