Kuala lumpur: The 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day Celebration Programme (HKHM 2026) has successfully secured RM48.63 million in sponsorship from 139 strategic partners, as announced by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. This amount marks a significant increase of more than 118 percent compared to last year's sponsorship total of RM22.3 million.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, RM2.7 million of the sponsorship is in cash, while the remaining RM45.93 million consists of goods and services. The sponsorship is divided into three categories: 50 percent for promotional support, 30 percent in goods to be distributed to visitors, and 20 percent as sponsorship for committees involved in organizing HKHM 2026. The handover ceremony was attended by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah.
Fahmi explained that all cash contributions will be directed to the Merdeka Secretariat Trust Account to aid in preparations for the celebrations. The goods will be distributed to the public attending the National Day celebration at Dataran Putrajaya on August 31, and the Malaysia Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak. He assured that every contribution would be managed transparently, prudently, and responsibly to support the main and supporting activities of HKHM 2026.
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has approved HKHM 2026 as a project of national interest under subsection 44(11C) of the Income Tax Act 1967. This approval allows individuals and companies making in-kind contributions from April 1 to September 16, 2026, to claim a tax deduction of up to 10 percent of their aggregate income for the current year of assessment, with a maximum limit of RM15 million.
Fahmi also announced a collaboration between the government, the Communications Ministry, and five telecommunications service providers-CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM, U Mobile, and YES-to offer the RAHMAH HKHM 2026 Rebate Incentive. Under this initiative, eligible Malaysian citizens using prepaid and postpaid services will receive 10GB of free data, split between National Day and Malaysia Day.
The redemption method and period for the free data will be announced by the participating telecommunications companies, subject to their terms and conditions. An FAQ section on the initiative will be available on the Communications Ministry's website soon.