AUPU to Debut Cutting-Edge Home Comfort Innovations at ARCHIDEX 2025
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Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Sejahtera Madani initiative launched, nearly RM120m raised to end poverty
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Pic by Bernama PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Madani People's Wellbeing Initiative (Sejahtera Madani), launched today to end poverty, has successfully raised nearly RM120 million, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ( pic ) announced. Speaking at the launch, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the initiative had received overwhelming support from the private sector, surpassing its initial fundraising 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 response has not just doubled, it's 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,' he said. Present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar also reiterated his Madani Government's commitment to ending hardcore poverty in Malaysia through coordinated efforts and strategic approaches. 'My target, together with the Cabinet, is to end hardcore poverty. Based on data from 2023 to 2024, we've made significant progress. Even though new cases may emerge, the overall numbers are far lower than before,' he said. The Prime Minister also praised the commitment of all stakeholders, particularly the private sector and Islamic religious councils, for working alongside the government to tackle one of the country's most persistent issues. Sejahtera Madani is a national initiative aimed at assisting poor and hardcore poor households registered under the National Poverty Database or the eKasih system. Coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM), the initiative consolidates various aid interventions across ministries, agencies, and private entities for a focused and integrated poverty eradication strategy. In a statement issued at the launch, ICU JPM described Sejahtera Madani as being anchored on a "whole-of-nation approach," enhanced with high-impact and sustainable programs targeting both heads of households and household members under the eKasih system. The initiative focuses on four key areas, namely income generation, education, housing, and social welfare. The government is targeting RM100 million in corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions for Sejahtera Madani, all of which will be channelled to the People's Wellbeing Fund managed by ICU JPM. 'All CSR contributions under this initiative qualify for income tax deductions under Subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967,' the statement read. As of July 15, a total of 306,403 heads of households are registered in the eKasih database nationwide, comprising 1,017 classified as hardcore poor and 305,386 as poor. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Labour dept to probe company linked to bus strike
About 100 cross-border bus drivers went on strike yesterday, leaving thousands of Malaysian workers stranded on the Causeway. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Human resources minister Steven Sim said the labour department will investigate the bus company linked to a strike yesterday which left thousands of Malaysian workers stranded at the Johor-Singapore border. He also said the alleged salary deductions of the bus drivers which triggered the strike were unacceptable. 'If these allegations are true, then it is tantamount to illegal deductions of their salaries,' he told reporters after launching the World Bank's report on inclusive employment practices here. Sim said the government had already stipulated the rate of statutory deductions, and that employers would have to consult employees if they intended to deduct more than the set rate. About 100 cross-border bus drivers went on strike at 5am yesterday, leaving thousands of Malaysian workers stranded on the Causeway. A driver claimed that a new salary scheme, introduced two months ago, had reduced the income of drivers to below RM2,000 a month. He also alleged that the drivers were now required to make five trips each day instead of four. This followed a report by Harian Metro late last month, quoting some express and tour bus drivers as claiming that they received a basic salary of RM700. Others claimed they were not paid a basic salary at all. The minimum wage in Malaysia is currently RM1,700 a month. Sim said this was not the first time that complaints had been lodged against the bus company in question. He said the company violated the Employment Act two weeks ago, but did not elaborate on the matter. 'I'm warning this company, do not disregard the Employment Act. We will not compromise,' he said. 32 other bus firms also under probe In a statement later, the labour department said two investigation papers have been opened into the company involved, while 32 other firms are also being investigated. It said this followed an operation at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar today, where checks were conducted on the companies. The department said its probe papers have been opened under the Employment Act and the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990. 'If convicted of making illegitimate pay cuts, employers can face a fine of up to RM50,000 for each offence,' it warned.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Perak one of M'sia's top durian-producing states last year, says MB
Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohmad said the state is focusing on widening access to its premium kampung durians through branding strategies. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Perak has emerged as one of the leading durian-producing states in Malaysia, with a production volume of 59,217.3 tonnes worth RM462.28 million in 2024. Menteri besar Saarani Mohamad lauded this as proof of Perak's capability in the durian export market. Saarani said Malaysia exported durians produced in Perak to more than 40 countries between 2017 and 2023, with 73% of the export value concentrated in China. 'In 2022, Malaysia's durian export value reached RM1.14 billion, including RM887 million to China. 'Demand for varieties such as Musang King, Black Thorn, D24, IOI, and premium kampung durians from Perak continues to rise,' Bernama reported him as saying at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Perak Durian Fest at Dataran Selama today. He said Malaysia's durian export value is expected to reach RM1.8 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 20% to 25%. Saarani said Perak's current focus is on widening access to premium kampung durians through branding strategies, quality certification and digital marketing. 'Durians from Perak are also in demand in Singapore, Hong Kong, the US and Australia, with the price of kampung durians from Malaysia reaching RM29 per 600g and Musang King durians being sold for up to RM400 per 2.5kg. 'Some local entrepreneurs are aggressively promoting durian-based products like durian chocolates, durian coffee, durian cakes, instant tempoyak sambal and durian ice cream in markets like China,' he said.
