Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim in the Belanjawan 2026 speech, aimed at advancing the country’s financial inclusion and protection agenda.

An additional RM35 million in matching grants has been allocated to the iTEKAD social finance initiative.

The programme, which was launched to spur entrepreneurship and strengthen protection for vulnerable groups, will now also focus on creating employment opportunities.

The new allocation seeks to enhance the financial resilience and capacity of target communities, helping them sustain and improve their livelihoods.

The funds will be matched with social finance contributions such as donations, corporate social responsibility initiatives, zakat, and cash waqf. BNM said further details will be announced later.

BNM also welcomed the government’s measures to address medical cost inflation and improve healthcare protection.

A total of RM60 million has been allocated by the government and industry to accelerate health reforms.

The design of the base medical and health insurance or takaful product is expected to be finalised by the end of 2025, with plans to launch it in 2027.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Malaysia, based on image by sodawhiskey via Freepik