MADANI Adopted Village Continuation Subject To Government Decision - Nanta

KAPIT, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The continuation of the Kampung Angkat MADANI (MADANI Adopted Village) initiative next year will depend on the government’s decision, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

The Kapit Member of Parliament said that should the initiative proceed in 2026, several areas in Kapit that require attention have already been identified.

“We have not made a final selection yet, but we have identified suitable locations if the initiative continues. Its implementation will depend on the government’s approval and the allocation provided in the relevant budget.

“We leave it to the Prime Minister to announce whether this initiative will continue in 2026 and the amount of allocation,” he told reporters after the handover of the MADANI Adopted Village in Nanga Engkuah, Ulu Katibas, Song, by the Works Ministry’s deputy secretary-general (Policy & Development), Datuk Dr Khairus Masnan Abdul Khalid, to Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan, at the Song district office today.

Nanta said that he had discussed the implementation of the initiative with the Bukit Goram, Pelagus and Katibas assemblymen, and should the opportunity arise, several suitable areas have already been identified.

Apart from Katibas, the MADANI Adopted Village initiative is also being implemented in Bukit Goram, while implementation in Pelagus has yet to begin.

In Katibas, the project involves the Nanga Engkuah community, comprising three longhouses - Rumah Radiah Langit, Rumah Albert Lajong and Rumah Assan Munan - while in Bukit Goram, it is being carried out in Rumah Kiong Igang.

Nanta said that the implementation of the MADANI Adopted Village initiative in Nanga Engkuah encountered several logistical challenges, including river transport routes and reliance on logging roads. However, through the concerted efforts of all parties, the project was successfully completed.

He added the initiative was the brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - a project that may not be large in physical scale, but carries significant meaning for the local community.

“Nanga Engkuah was selected as one of the locations. This should be a source of pride for the residents, as it shows that this community too is benefitting from the development brought by the government,” he said.

He stressed that the success of such a project depends on the strong support and close cooperation of the local community, while also recognising the efforts of elected representatives who continue to champion development in interior areas, particularly in the Katibas state constituency.

Initially, the MADANI Adopted Village project in Nanga Engkuah was allocated RM2.5 million, but the cost later increased to about RM4 million due to extensive logistical requirements.

A total of four physical projects have been successfully completed under the initiative, including the construction of two new pedestrian bridges linking three longhouses, the installation of solar-powered lighting, the upgrading of the jetty’s waiting hut and improvements to pedestrian walkways in the area.

-- BERNAMA