The funds are meant to aid poor and hardcore poor households registered in the eKasih system.

Speaking at the launch today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the amount has far exceeded the initial target of RM50 million.

“This proves the private sector’s confidence in the government’s efforts to help vulnerable groups via focussed programmes such as Sejahtera Madani,” he said at the Seri Perdana complex here today.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the funds collected by the Prime Minister’s Department’s implementation coordination unit (ICU) under the initiative will cover not only financial aid, but also goods, services and training.

“We are focusing on eradicating urban poverty. To handle the problem of poverty, we don’t give people fish. Instead, we teach people how to catch fish,” he told reporters here today.

The Sejahtera Madani initiative aims to help those registered in eKasih increase their incomes and further their education, as well as provide housing and welfare, according to a statement by ICU.

It said the initiative consolidates various forms of aid across ministries, agencies and the private sector to tackle poverty in a focussed and integrated manner.

“All corporate social responsibility contributions are eligible for income tax deductions under Subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967,” it added.

The companies that have contributed to the programme so far include Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Petronas, Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd, YTL Corporation, FGV Holdings and Farm Fresh Bhd.