KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Architects of Diversity (AOD) welcomes the government’s Budget 2026 and its continued focus on programmes and activities that strengthen social cohesion, especially with the increased allocation of 7.9 per cent to the Ministry of National Unity.
In particular, the non-profit organisation said that it welcomes the RM5 million matching grant and tax exemption mechanism to encourage greater private and corporate financial contributions to the National Museum.
“This is an important step for social cohesion institutions to build deeper partnerships with philanthropic bodies.
“AOD sees this as a positive innovation and sees this as a mechanism to be further extended to other social cohesion initiatives such as programmes and research conducted by government agencies and non-profit organisations,” it said in a statement today.
It said AOD also welcomes the significantly increased allocation to Rukun Tetangga, from RM20 million in 2025 to RM55 million in 2026.
“As community-run organisations, we believe that the increased investment in Rukun Tetangga demonstrates a renewed commitment to empowering local communities as the first line of defence against social fragmentation.
“These neighbourhood-based structures are crucial in fostering trust, cooperation and mutual understanding among Malaysians of different backgrounds,” the statement read.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 2026 Budget last Friday, announced an allocation of RM55 million to strengthen the role of Rukun Tetangga MADANI as a bridge that mobilises family activities in multi-racial neighbourhoods.
In addition, the government has also provided an initial fund of RM5 million through a matching grant to encourage the participation of the corporate sector, philanthropists and heritage experts in efforts to rejuvenate the National Museum as an important institution that preserves history and national identity.
-- BERNAMA
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