Budget 2026: STAR Gets RM25 Mln To Drive Digitalisation, Innovation – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The Special Task Force on Agency Reform (STAR) has been allocated RM25 million under Budget 2026 to focus on comprehensive digitalisation of public services, as well as to accelerate infrastructure development and innovations.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the reform agenda driven through STAR has successfully coordinated over 1,000 projects or programmes, saving compliance costs of up to RM1.1 billion and helping Malaysia climb 11 spots in the World Competitiveness Index.

“The STAR team has proven that governance reforms can be implemented swiftly, including without the need to appoint external consultants,” said the Prime Minister when tabling Budget 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The Finance Minister said MyDigital ID aims to reach 15 million users by the end of this year, with its implementation to be expanded to key sectors such as finance, telecommunications, e-commerce and healthcare.

“Through internal expertise, the GovTech Malaysia Unit has been strengthened to develop more government digital applications to improve service efficiency,” he said.

He added that MADANI Kiosks will be gradually set up in all states to enable the public to access government services outside office hours.

“Three MADANI Kiosks have already been installed in the Klang Valley, with two more to follow in Penang and Johor,” he said.

Anwar said RM76.6 million has been allocated to enhance the facilities of Urban Transformation Centres (UTCs) to make them more people-friendly and accessible, and that the 24th UTC in Seberang Perai will be launched this November.

Recognising the important role of Malaysia’s foreign service, he said the government is ensuring that diplomats abroad are provided with embassy offices that are well-equipped, comfortable and secure.

Accordingly, he said RM31.5 million has been allocated for the maintenance and replacement of damaged embassy assets, including at the Malaysian missions in Wellington and Singapore.

Anwar said the MADANI Mobile Services initiative will receive over RM110 million to ensure that rural and remote communities can access government services directly.

For example, public university students from science, engineering, medicine and nursing fields will go to villages to provide community support services such as repair works, health screenings and the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools.

“The Sabah and Sarawak Mobile Community Services will be expanded to 19 new areas, including Kampung Karamuak in Sabah and Telang Usan in Sarawak,” he said.

He added that Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) will add four more mobile banking units, bringing the total to 20, to better serve rural populations in Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang and Perak, particularly over one million recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).

“The Mobile Court initiative will also be expanded to include Mobile Labour Courts and Mobile Children’s Courts, equipped with child-friendly witness rooms and modified vehicles serving as fully functional courtrooms,” he said.

-- BERNAMA