The National Unity Ministry will seek RM550.7 million under Budget 2027 to fund six major initiatives aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s shared national identity, unity and social harmony.
Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the proposed allocation would be discussed with Finance Minister tomorrow, with all requests aligned with the ministry’s nation-building agenda.
The six areas are National Unity and Identity, Community Harmony, Ini Warisan Kita, Digitalisation of National Treasures, upgrading unity-related premises, and matching grants for museums, archives and libraries.
Among the programmes planned under the National Unity and Identity initiative are Gerak Integrasi Perpaduan (GRIP Madani), the Rukun Negara Youth Tour, Jalinan Integrasi Nasional, Citra Nusa Muzium, museum exhibitions, Semarak Advokasi Arkib, Nadi Budaya Ilmu and the Digital Library Conference.
For Community Harmony, the ministry plans to introduce the Progressive Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) and Community Mediator programmes. Part of the proposed funding would also go towards upgrading Unity Kindergartens, archives and village libraries.
Aaron said Malaysia currently has 506 village libraries, 10 memorials and 22 museums under the Museums Department, with the 2027 Budget request also covering the digitalisation of facilities and collections managed by the three agencies.
For comparison, the ministry received RM136 million under Budget 2026, including 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.
It was also allocated RM650.48 million for operating expenditure and RM117.52 million for development expenditure in 2026. Aaron said next year’s programmes would ultimately depend on the allocation approved under Budget 2027.
