KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called upon ministers, some 2,000 senior civil servants, and top government officials to adopt a village.
He said that the goal of the Madani ‘Adopted Village' programme was to bring government leaders closer to the people, encouraging them to understand and directly address the challenges faced by rural communities across the country.
"When we adopt a village, we learn first-hand the issues faced by the people, and we can address them more effectively. This approach brings us closer to the ground, helping us see how policies and programmes are impacting lives,” said Anwar at the “Madani Rakyat 2024, Sayangi Sabah” programme held at the Likas Sports Complex here on Saturday (Oct 19).
He said a village's problems often reflect broader national concerns, from economic struggles to social challenges. These villages act as a "microcosm" of the entire country.
“When we adopt a village, we are not just addressing isolated problems. We are tackling the same challenges our nation faces," Anwar said.
He shared that his own adopted village, Permatang Pauh, had many problems, but with targeted interventions, such as providing better education support and addressing drug-related issues, it saw improvements.
"By going directly to the people, we can get a clearer picture of what is happening. When I come here, I come as the Prime Minister, but when I return to my village, I am just another villager. This allows me to understand the challenges they face and come up with more effective solutions.
“So, choose one village as a test. Like myself, I chose my own village. It was easy for me, But for others, you can choose. There is no specification; just pick a village like your adopted village,” he said.
Anwar said he hope that senior officials, including ministers and directors-general, would be ready to share their experiences and success stories with their adopted villages by November.
Anwar, in tabling the 2025 Budget in Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 18), said RM100mil had been allocated for public universities to implement the Madani ‘Adopted Village' programme.
The programme will also see TVET institutions providing services like home repairs and electrical wiring to the community.
The Finance Minister also said that the government is increasing the TVET education per capita grant (PCG) rate by 15%, bringing the total PCG allocation to over RM900mil.
The Madani ‘Adopted Village' programme was introduced in Budget 2024.
It was reported that RM86.3mil out of the RM100mil allocated has been channelled to various ministries and agencies involved in the programme as of July 10.
