KULAI, The RM350 million allocation under Budget 2026 to strengthen the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) network is expected to further boost e-entrepreneurship programmes and expand its role in delivering healthcare services to rural communities.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said Nadi serves as a key platform to help rural entrepreneurs grow their income through online businesses in collaboration with e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok.
“Those interested in becoming e-entrepreneurs can visit their nearest Nadi centre. If there is sufficient demand, we will invite trainers from e-commerce platforms to conduct workshops.
“These sessions not only provide guidance on becoming online entrepreneurs but also include training on product packaging and poster design,” she told reporters after presenting a contribution to the Sri Nagakanni Temple in Bandar Putra here on Sunday.
Teo, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kulai, said there are currently 1,089 Nadi centres nationwide, with at least one centre in each state constituency.
She added that Nadi’s functions will be expanded to include serving as a medical delivery hub through a pilot drone delivery project starting at the end of this year to enhance access to healthcare in rural areas.
“This pilot project, a collaboration between the Communications Ministry and the Health Ministry, will begin in two locations — Sibu, Sarawak (involving the Sibu Jaya Health Clinic and Nadi Kampung Jeriah), and Tawau, Sabah (Tawau Health Clinic, Nadi Batu Payung and Nadi Kampung Sungai Imam),” she said.
When tabling Budget 2026 in Parliament last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has allocated RM350 million to enhance Nadi centres, including initiatives to support rural entrepreneurs in generating additional income through online ventures.
Earlier, Teo presented a RM20,000 contribution to Sri Nagakanni Temple chairman R Cheran to help rebuild the temple, which was severely damaged in a storm last August. The storm caused a large tree to fall onto the temple, destroying about 80% of its structure and rendering it unsafe.
“I hope this contribution helps support the temple’s reconstruction efforts. To date, I have allocated RM80,000 to NGOs and temples in Kulai for various programmes, upgrades and repairs,” Teo added.
