Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, YAB Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, in the Belanjawan 2026 speech to advance the financial inclusion and protection agenda.

As announced, an additional RM35 million in matching grants will be provided for the iTEKAD social finance initiative. iTEKAD is now expanded to not only spur entrepreneurship and enhance protection, but also to create employment opportunities for vulnerable segments. The allocation is intended to strengthen the financial resilience and capacity of the intended segments, enabling them to sustain and improve their livelihoods. These funds will be matched with social finance funds, such as donations (including corporate social responsibility contributions), zakat, and cash waqf. Further details will be announced later.

BNM also welcomes the announcements on measures to help address medical cost inflation and protection. To this end, the Government and industry have allocated RM60 million to accelerate health reforms. The design of the base medical and health insurance/takaful product will be finalised by the end of 2025, with a view to launch in 2027.

Click here for the Belanjawan 2026 speech text.