Budget 2026: RM350 Mln Allocation To Expand NADI’s Role, Empower E-entrepreneurs - Teo

KULAI, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The RM350 million allocation under Budget 2026 to strengthen the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) is expected to further boost e-entrepreneurship programmes and expand the centre’s role in delivering medicines and healthcare services to rural communities.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said one of NADI’s main initiatives is to guide rural entrepreneurs to increase their income through online businesses, in collaboration with e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok.

“Those interested in becoming e-entrepreneurs can contact their nearest NADI centre. If there is sufficient demand, we will invite trainers from the e-commerce platforms to conduct sessions.

“They will not only share knowledge on becoming e-entrepreneurs but also offer courses on product packaging and poster design,” she told reporters after presenting a contribution to the Sri Nagakanni Temple in Bandar Putra here today.

Teo, who is also Kulai Member of Parliament, said there are currently 1,089 NADI nationwide, with at least one centre in every state constituency.

She said NADI’s role will be expanded as a medical delivery hub through a drone pilot project starting year-end to improve healthcare access for rural communities.

“This pilot project, a collaboration between the Communications Ministry and the Health Ministry, will begin at two locations, namely Sibu, Sarawak (involving Sibu Jaya Health Clinic and NADI Kampung Jeriah) and Tawau, Sabah (Tawau Health Clinic, NADI Batu Payung and NADI Kampung Sungai Imam),” she said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2026 in Parliament last Friday, said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has allocated RM350 million to enhance NADI centres, including initiatives to assist rural entrepreneurs in earning additional income through online businesses.

Earlier, Teo handed over a RM20,000 contribution to Sri Nagakanni Temple chairman R. Cheran to help rebuild the temple, which was badly damaged in a storm last August.

The storm caused a large tree to collapse onto the temple, causing about 80 per cent damage to its structure and rendering it unsafe for use.

“I hope today’s contribution will support the temple’s rebuilding efforts. So far, I have channelled RM80,000 to NGOs and temples in Kulai for programmes, upgrades and repairs,” she added.

-- BERNAMA