KUALA LUMPUR: The Finance Ministry has disbursed RM86.3 million to ministries and agencies involved in the Madani village adoption programme for 35 villages so far, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government allocated RM100 million for the programme across 42 villages nationwide, with each village eligible for a maximum allocation of RM2.5 million.
He said the selection criteria for each village included those with facility coverage below 50 per cent or those with incomplete basic facilities.
"The selected villages will serve as benchmarks to help bridge the rural-urban gap.
"This initiative also aims to strengthen village chiefs or committees through communal approaches and facilitate procurement and financial procedures to support infrastructure projects," he said in a reply to Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan).
Puzi had asked about the main objectives of the Madani village adoption programme compared to existing policies.
He also asked about the primary criteria for selecting a village for this programme and the benefits that could be realised in terms of infrastructure, facilities, and economic development.
Amir Hamzah said the programme involved both physical and non-physical projects.
"Physical projects include improvements to village roads, street lights, water and electricity supply, internet access, communal efforts for bridges, pipes, drainage systems, community halls, and access facilities for education and health.
"Non-physical projects include local assistance such as registration with the Social Welfare Department, e-Kasih (social assistance), Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, and government mobile services such as health screenings, dental care, mobile banking, Child and Youth Crime Awareness Module, and the Budi Madani programme, among others."