MADANI village initiative to combat poverty in Sabah

The Federal government’s MADANI Village initiative aims to alleviate poverty in rural Sabah, with a particular focus on enhancing socioeconomic conditions through targeted programmes.

Spearheaded by Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, this initiative has already seen significant engagement across the state.

MADANI empowering communities in Sabah

Bung Moktar, who is also the Lamag state assemblyman, emphasised the critical role of the MADANI Village Community Committee in addressing poverty in Sabah.

“Our specific goal is to help Sabah reduce hardcore poverty,” said Bung Moktar.

The committee is tasked with coordinating socioeconomic programmes, including education and entrepreneurial skills, to assist targeted groups in generating income.

This initiative stands as a complementary effort to the existing Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), focusing on socioeconomic and entrepreneurial development rather than administrative management.

As of now, over 2,400 individuals from 32 of the 73 state constituencies in Sabah have been appointed to activate the roles of the relevant committees in their respective areas.

This broad engagement ensures that the initiative reaches a diverse range of communities, providing tailored support to meet local needs.

Strategic initiatives for poverty reduction

The MADANI Village Community Committee’s efforts are part of a larger strategic plan to tackle poverty in Sabah.

On May 9, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, officially handed over the appointment letters to Bung Moktar for the committee’s 132 chairmen and secretaries from 66 villages.

This formalisation of roles underscores the government’s commitment to structured and sustained poverty alleviation efforts.

Bung Moktar highlighted the importance of these appointments in driving the initiative forward, stating, “The JKKK is responsible for the management and administration of villages, while the MADANI Village Community Committee coordinates socio-economic and entrepreneurial programmes.”

This clear delineation of responsibilities ensures that both administrative and developmental needs are addressed efficiently.

The MADANI Village initiative represents a significant step towards reducing poverty in Sabah by empowering local communities through education and entrepreneurship.

By engaging over 2,400 individuals across numerous constituencies, the programme ensures widespread impact and sustainable development.