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MALAYSIA is embarking on a renewed assertion of civilizational identity under the 9th pillar (Tekad Sembilan) with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announcing in Parliament that Islamic propagation remains all-encompassing and upright, backed by a RM2.6 billion allocation in Budget 2026.
The budget seeks to support over 300 registered ‘pondok’ schools and nearly 160 informal ones by modernising them with curricula that preserve traditional teachings while adding digital, AI, and TVET literacy. RM150 million is set aside to upgrade infrastructure and replace outdated instructional tools in registered ‘pondok’ institutions.
To equip future generations with vocational pathways, 720 tahfiz students will gain professional skills training via GiatMARA programmes that prepare them for post-study employment.
Mosques will be further elevated as community hubs. The government will introduce the “Anugerah Masjid Malaysia” to recognise exemplary mosques, host conventions bringing together imams, scholars, technocrats and civic leaders, and expand religious learning events like the 2026 ‘Sama’ Hadis’ series to deepen public engagement with the Quran and prophetic traditions.
A nationwide Quran translation project under Yayasan Restu and JAKIM will publish 1 million copies in 30 major languages, while a new ‘Mushaf MADANI’ version will support national Quranic reflection (tadabbur). Planning is underway for the Madinatul Quran complex in Putrajaya.
Recognising the spiritual dimension of national duty, the government will increase the EPF (KWSP) withdrawal limit for Hajj from RM3,000 to RM10,000.
Civil servants will also be permitted an early GCR redemption up to RM10,000 for pilgrimage purposes, supported by a dedicated RM10 million fund.
Unity is central. “We build this nation on pillars of unity — strand by strand — and we must protect it,” Anwar said. To strengthen national identity and cohesion, new modules on “Philosophy and Contemporary Challenges” and “National Aspirations” will be introduced in tertiary education from 2026.
RM55 million is allocated to national unity programmes such as ‘Minggu Perpaduan’, Harmoni MADANI and Citra Nusa Muzium, while three new unity centres — in Kuala Terengganu, Perak and Miri — will be built at a cost of RM46 million.
Grassroots unity is emphasised: the *Rukun Tetangga MADANI* network will receive RM55 million to foster neighbourly ties across multicultural communities.
Military engineers have already deployed a compact Bailey bridge in Kampung Air Punggai, Melaka, replacing a landslide‑destroyed road link.
The ‘Program Jiwa Murni MADANI’ receives an increased budget of RM20 million to further strengthen moral values and citizenship ideals nationwide. - October 10, 2025
