MINDEF Allocates RM850,000 For 17 MAF Jiwa MADANI Projects In Melaka

MELAKA, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has allocated RM850,000 to implement 17 projects under the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Jiwa MADANI initiative in Melaka, said its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said the initiative is part of the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programme, which aims to strengthen ties, build trust and enhance community awareness of the shared role in defending the nation’s sovereignty.

“The projects will focus on initiatives that contribute to the well-being of the community, such as repairing the cemetery fence in Kampung Cheng,” he said.

He said this when speaking to reporters after officiating the 2026 MINDEF’s Jiwa MADANI Project handover ceremony at Masjid An-Najwan here today.

Also present were Melaka Housing, Local Government, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin, MINDEF Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Army Chief Gen Datuk Azhan Md Othman, Army Western Field Commander Lt Gen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman, and 3rd Division Commander Maj Gen Datuk Mohamad Suria Mohamad Saad.

At the ceremony, RM50,000 was allocated for the maintenance of Masjid An-Najwan Muslim Cemetery fence, which was carried out through a gotong-royong involving military officers and personnel, as well as members of the local community.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said the MAF is always open to collaborating with the state government to implement physical projects as a cost-saving measure.

“For instance, if a project implemented by a contractor costs RM200,000, it may only deliver one project. However, if it is carried out through gotong-royong with the cooperation of the MAF, we can probably implement three projects with the same allocation,” he said.

-- BERNAMA