The Prime Minister during the Letter of Acceptance (SST) Handover Ceremony for Ministry of Education Projects to Bumiputera Small Contractors

IPOH, 16 May 2026 – The Government has increased the total additional allocation to RM900 million compared to the previous RM500 million for the construction of 6,000 new primary school classrooms nationwide.

Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the step is among the mechanisms to ensure that the demand for learning spaces, particularly Year One pupils, can be fulfilled more completely.

“The additional allocation is critical as the Ministry of Education has reported an increase in classroom requirements following the rise in student enrolment.

“The decision was made to avoid a shortage of classrooms at the last minute, which could disrupt the learning process,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the Letter of Acceptance (SST) Handover Ceremony for Ministry of Education Projects to Bumiputera Small Contractors at the Perak Education Department Multipurpose Hall here.

Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, Perak State Secretary Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim and heads of state and federal departments.

Dato’ Seri Anwar added that under Budget 2026, the Government had previously announced RM400 million for the construction of 2,500 additional classrooms involving more than 800 schools.

“However, after reassessment and current projections, the Government agreed to increase the allocation from RM500 million to RM900 million to build 6,000 classrooms,” he said.

At the ceremony, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim handed over 100 Letters of Acceptance (SST) to contractors for the implementation of the construction of new classrooms.

Earlier, Anwar officiated the launch of the PADURI MADANI Scheme organised by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).

The PADURI MADANI Scheme is AIM’s new micro-financing initiative introduced specifically to empower women entrepreneurs in the B40 group.

With an allocation of RM230 million, the scheme is expected to benefit more than 29,000 new entrepreneurs through financing ranging from RM3,000 to RM30,000.

Of this amount, 60 percent of the funds are allocated to rural entrepreneurs, while the remaining 40 percent will be channelled to urban entrepreneurs.

This initiative is believed to be able to open up opportunities for women to expand their businesses, increase household income and boost grassroots economic growth.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.