PADANG RENGAS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded village leaders not to misuse or waste funds from the government's Sejati Madani initiative.
He said under the initiative announced in the 2025 Budget, each village nationwide will get RM50,000 to RM100,000 to implement economic programmes.
"Sejati Madani is a responsibility and a challenge for villagers.
"The imam, village head, community leaders, youth associations, women's groups, mosque committees, you all need to discuss this thoroughly.
"We will provide the funds and you will decide on projects that will benefit your village.
"Some villages may need tractors, boats or drones for agriculture.
"The decision shouldn't be made by just one person. Community representatives should make decisions that can stimulate the local economy."
He said this during a gathering with the Padang Rengas community at Arena Square Pekan Isnin here today.
Present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and the finance minister's political secretary, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim.
During the tabling of the 2025 Budget, Anwar announced that RM1 billion would be allocated for the Sejahtera Komuniti Madani programme (Sejati Madani).
He said this initiative would be strengthened through collaborations with the senior management of departments to lead Kampung Angkat Madani efforts.
He told district officers and officials from the Prime Minister's Department's Implementation Coordination Unit to closely monitor the management of the funds.
"We must manage it well because it involves a lot.
"With RM50,000 to RM100,000 going to each village, imagine how much we are spending.
"But that's okay, we will do it as long as it doesn't go to waste.
"Sometimes money is well spent, sometimes it is wasted, sometimes it leaks and sometimes it is siphoned off. Many things can happen."