Budget 2026: MADANI Gov't Ensures Orang Asli, PwDs, Ex-convicts And Refugees Not Left Behind

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The MADANI government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind, including the Orang Asli, persons with disabilities (PwDs), former prisoners and refugees, in line with the “Leave No One Behind” principle of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030.

When tabling Budget 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today, the prime minister said RM412 million has been allocated to comprehensively empower the Orang Asli community, excluding allocations under the Bumiputera category.

To strengthen the rights and welfare of the Orang Asli, he said the government will table amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954, in addition to upgrading roads in Orang Asli villages at a cost of RM155 million.

This includes new road projects in Kampung Batu Peti and Panchor in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, and Kampung Sungai Mai in Jerantut, Pahang.

He added that the government will also upgrade all Orang Asli community preschools (tabika) nationwide with an allocation of nearly RM13 million, including the construction of four new tabika in Kuala Terbol (Pahang), Tanjung Tuan (Johor), Ulu Kuang (Selangor) and Taman Desa Kemandol (Selangor).

To address educational dropout issues, Anwar said the government will expand the *Chup Badui Sikulah* programme — a floating school initiative in Hulu Perak — to provide education access to more than 350 Orang Asli children.

On the welfare of PwDs, Anwar said the government has allocated nearly RM1.4 billion for assistance to bedridden PwDs, those unable to work, and PwD worker allowances.

In addition, 100 specially equipped vans with wheelchair lifts will be provided to enhance mobility, while Autism Service Centres (PPA), currently operating in Peninsular Malaysia, will be expanded to Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak to benefit 13,000 individuals with autism and their families.

He said the government also plans to increase the individual income tax relief ceiling for the medical screening, early intervention and treatment of children with disabilities under 18 years old to RM10,000 from RM6,000.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said through the Second Chance Policy, the government continues to support citizens seeking to rebuild their lives, resulting in 200,000 individuals being freed from bankruptcy since March 2023.

 “To assist single parents, affected micro-entrepreneurs, scam victims and victims of abandoned housing projects, the Fast Track Second Chance Policy will be introduced to expedite the process through simpler and more targeted methods,” he said.

Anwar added that RM15 million will be allocated to strengthen the Second Chance Programme for the benefit of 1,700 former drug addicts and 3,000 former female prisoners without family support, through start-up business incentives to help them rebuild their lives.

In line with humanitarian principles, he said the government will also allocate RM10 million for a Refugee Registration Documentation Programme, while upgrading three Immigration Detention Depots and three *Baitul Mahabbah* centres into Special Separation Centres for adult and child refugees and asylum seekers.

The budget, themed “Fourth MADANI Budget: A Budget for the People,” marks the fourth in the MADANI series and the first under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) for 2026–2030.

-- BERNAMA