Kuala lumpur: The RM350 million allocation under Budget 2026 aimed at strengthening the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) is anticipated to significantly enhance e-entrepreneurship programs and broaden the centre’s capacity in delivering medicines and healthcare services to rural areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced that one of NADI’s primary initiatives involves guiding rural entrepreneurs to boost their income through online businesses, in partnership with e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok. Teo emphasized that interested individuals can contact their nearest NADI centre, and if there is sufficient demand, trainers from these e-commerce platforms will be invited to conduct training sessions. These sessions will cover not only the essentials of becoming an e-entrepreneur but also offer courses on product packaging and poster design.
Teo, who serves as the Kulai Member of Parliament, noted that there are currently 1,089 NADI centres nationwide, ensuring at least one centre in every state constituency. She mentioned that NADI’s role will expand to act as a medical delivery hub, facilitated by a drone pilot project commencing at the end of the year to improve healthcare access for rural communities. This pilot project is a collaboration between the Communications Ministry and the Health Ministry, and it will launch at two locations: Sibu, Sarawak, and Tawau, Sabah.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the tabling of Budget 2026 in Parliament, stated that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has earmarked RM350 million to enhance NADI centres, including initiatives designed to help rural entrepreneurs earn additional income through online businesses.
In a related event, Teo handed over a RM20,000 contribution to Sri Nagakanni Temple chairman R. Cheran to aid in rebuilding the temple, which suffered severe damage during a storm last August. The storm resulted in a large tree collapsing onto the temple, causing approximately 80 percent damage and rendering it unsafe for use. Teo expressed hope that the contribution would support the temple’s rebuilding efforts, adding that she has channelled RM80,000 to NGOs and temples in Kulai for various programs, upgrades, and repairs.