Kampung Angkat MADANI Boosts Economic Opportunities, Wellbeing In Pulau Betong

BALIK PULAU, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Residents of Kampung Pulau Betong are enjoying the direct benefits of 27 physical and community development projects under the Kampung Angkat MADANI Programme, through the Ministry of Finance’s initiative.

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the programme, implemented under Budget 2025, focused on improving the quality of life of the people by providing safer, more comfortable and people-friendly facilities, as well as strengthening the local economy and promoting inclusive community development.

He said the improvement in facilities would not only enhance basic infrastructure but would also have a positive impact on the economic activities, safety, and daily comfort of around 1,200 villagers.

“Among the physical development projects that have been fully completed are the upgrading of community facilities such as the hall and library, the construction of a covered walkway for religious school students, the upgrading of mosque facilities, the building of a hawker centre, and the creation of a square, which has now become the focal point of local community activities,” he said.

He said this when met after the Sesi Turun Padang Kampung Angkat MADANI YB Menteri Kewangan II programme in Kampung Pulau Betong.

Apart from that, Amir Hamzah said the area around the village had also been revitalised through the development of tourist attractions and a homestay renovation programme, aimed at increasing the village’s capacity to receive visitors and boosting residents’ household incomes.

He also said emphasis was placed on community empowerment through skills development programmes such as the Boat Engine Repair course, Mobile Phone Repair, Batik, and Cooking workshops, which created opportunities for residents, especially the youth and B40 groups, to earn extra income.

He said that to strengthen the tourism sector, various initiatives had been implemented, including the purchase of boats and engines, the provision of safety equipment, the installation of lights and GPS systems, and the construction of a tourist boat jetty to support the Island Eco-Tourism Programme.

According to him, as most villagers in Kampung Pulau Betong were involved in fisheries, agriculture, industry, and public services, the project was expected to create more economic opportunities, increase community competitiveness, and support sustainable development.

Under Budget 2026, the government has allocated RM1 billion for the entire Ikhtiar MADANI programme, including RM200 million specifically for the Kampung Angkat MADANI initiative, which covers 500 villages nationwide.

-- BERNAMA