IKHTIAR MADANI INITIATIVE BOOSTS COMMUNITIES, STUDENTS IN PERLIS

By Nurrul Huda Ahmad Lutfi and Nurul Syahirah Zulkifli

KANGAR, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The benefits of the Ikhtiar MADANI initiative under Malaysia’s Unity Government continue to reach communities and students in Perlis through the MADANI Adopted Village and MADANI Adopted School programmes.

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Bernama checks at Kampung Santan Selatan, adopted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in April, found significant infrastructure upgrades benefiting more than 1,600 residents.

Village Development and Security Committee chairman Affandi Haron said improvements include repairs to the Seri Santan Community Hall, completed in early October after years of neglect due to funding constraints.

“Since the refurbishment, the hall has become active again with community programmes such as weekly cooking classes and knee exercise sessions for osteoarthritis patients run by the Kangar Health Clinic advisory panel,” he told Bernama in a recent interview.

He said healthcare facilities have also been enhanced through repairs and upgrades to the ageing Santan Village Clinic, while door-to-door community health screenings are being conducted with the Kangar District Health Office and the Perlis Health Department.

Affandi said the Ikhtiar MADANI initiative has proven effective in improving community well-being, with health personnel engaging residents directly and resolving issues with minimal bureaucracy.

Meanwhile, SK Santan headmaster Md Nazir Nik Ali said the school, adopted by MOH under the MADANI Adopted School programme, received RM100,000 to upgrade facilities and support academic performance.

He said the fund was used to replace the roofing, install covered pedestrian paths, purchase 25 laptops, equip 12 classrooms with Android televisions, improve sports facilities and upgrade the music room.

“Students also received free eye screenings, with 39 pupils set to receive free spectacles,” he said.

Md Nazir said the programme has also enhanced student development and improved comfort for the school community of 480 students and 38 teachers.

In tabling Budget 2026 on Oct 10, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced RM1 billion to expand the Ikhtiar MADANI initiative and improve direct government services to the people.

-- BERNAMA