National Unity Ministry seeks RM550.7 million under Budget 2027 for six programmes focused on strengthening national unity and shared identity
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) will seek RM550.7 million under Budget 2027 to implement six key programmes aimed at nation-building.
Its minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, said the request would be discussed with the Finance Minister tomorrow.
He added that all six initiatives would focus on fostering a shared national identity, while strengthening unity and harmony in Malaysia.
The initiatives are National Unity and Identity, Community Harmony, Ini Warisan Kita (This Is Our Heritage), Digitalisation of National Treasures, upgrading unity-related premises and matching grants for museums, archives and libraries.
“All requests for allocations under the 2027 Budget will be aligned with the ministry’s nation-building agenda, with emphasis on developing a shared identity and strengthening national unity and harmony,” he told reporters after officiating the Malaysia Storytelling Festival (FPM) 2026 at the National Library here today.
Aaron said programmes under the National Unity and Identity initiative would include Gerak Integrasi Perpaduan (GRIP MADANI), the Rukun Negara Youth Tour, Jalinan Integrasi Nasional (National Integration Network), Citra Nusa Muzium, museum exhibitions, Semarak Advokasi Arkib, Nadi Budaya Ilmu, and the Digital Library Conference.
Under the Community Harmony initiative, the ministry plans to implement the Progressive Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) and Community Mediator programmes.
The proposed allocation would also cover the upgrading of unity-related facilities, including Unity Kindergartens (Tabika Perpaduan), archives and village libraries.
“We have 506 village libraries nationwide, as well as 10 memorials and 22 museums under the Department of Museums Malaysia. The 2027 Budget application includes funding to digitalise the facilities and collections managed by these three agencies. These are the six areas for which we will be seeking funding next year,” he said.
On the 2026 Budget, Aaron said the ministry received RM136 million, comprising RM55 million each for KRT and Unity activities, RM20 million for upgrading Unity Kindergartens, RM5 million for museum matching grants and RM1 million for Siamese ethnic culture.
In addition, the ministry was allocated RM650.48 million for operating expenditure and RM117.52 million for development expenditure.
Aaron said the ministry planned to implement various programmes next year, although their execution would depend on the allocation approved under Budget 2027.
