MOF Revitalises Pulau Betong Through Kampung Angkat MADANI Initiative

BALIK PULAU, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The implementation of several physical projects by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), including the upgrading of basic facilities under the Kampung Angkat MADANI (MADANI village adoption) initiative, has revitalised Pulau Betong, here.

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the initiative would not only improve residents’ quality of life, but also position the coastal area as having potential to be developed into an eco-tourism destination.

“Pulau Betong was selected as a Kampung Angkat MADANI, after an assessment showed that its basic facilities required special attention, alongside recognising the eco-tourism potential which could be developed to boost the local economy.

“This area has a population of about 1,200, with eco-tourism as its main attraction, including beaches, seafood and fishing activities,” he told reporters at the Finance Minister II’s Kampung Angkat MADANI get-together, here, today.

He noted that Pulau Betong’s landscape includes rolling hills, durian orchards, agarwood plantations, oyster, shrimp and mud crab farming, as well as river and mangrove exploration, all of which can serve as attractions for tourists.

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AMIR HAMZAH-PULAU BETONG 2 (LAST) BALIK PULAU

Amir Hamzah also announced that 24 homestays are being operated by residents in Pulau Betong, while the ministry is carrying out 23 upgrading projects, slated for completion by year-end. These include improvements to Surau Al-Hidayah, Pulau Betong rural public library and hall, Ar Raudhah Mosque, walkways, fences and the playground.

He added that the projects also cover upgrading the car park, building a hawker centre, repairing jetty toilets, beautifying the Kuala Sungai Betong river and bridge, upgrading the Dataran Kuala Pulau Betong recreation area, and constructing sculptures at key locations to serve as tourist attractions.

He said that the initiative also involves collaboration between the MOF, the Barat Daya District and Land Office and the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM).

On the non-physical side, he said that the initiative includes efforts to empower residents through supplementary classes for students, skills training, and gotong-royong activities to clean up the village.

Apart from Pulau Betong, three other villages have also been selected as the ministry’s Kampung Angkat MADANI - Kampung Bukit Indera Muda, Kampung Guar Perahu and Kampung Terus, in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency in Seberang Perai Tengah.

Amir Hamzah added that the government has allocated RM200 million under Budget 2025 to implement the MADANI village adoption initiative in 200 selected villages nationwide this year.

“What sets the Kampung Angkat MADANI initiative apart is that it brings together local communities, the federal and state governments’ agencies and ministries. Each party goes down to the ground, working directly with the community, to realise projects and provide the necessary facilities,” he said.

-- BERNAMA