Thailand: The People's Welfare Insurance Scheme (SIKR) 3.0, introduced today by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, aims to provide increased protection for low-income households. The Finance Ministry has allocated an initial RM20 million for the scheme, which will be effective from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the enhanced SIKR 3.0 increases the sum insured to RM13,500 for natural death, RM26,500 for accidental death, and RM13,500 for permanent disability resulting from accidents. Prime Minister Anwar announced these updates at the Rancakkan MADANI Bersama Malaysiaku programme's closing ceremony. Additionally, the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department is expected to formalise the scheme with Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad through a memorandum of understanding.
SIKR is a syariah-compliant annual group term takaful plan, funded by the government, targeting 300,000 heads of households in the hardcore poor and poor categories listed in the eKasih database. The first iteration of SIKR was launched in 2022 and saw RM13.4 million allocated by the government to cover 268,887 household heads. Under SIKR 2.0, the coverage amounts were RM10,500 for natural death, RM25,500 for accidental death, and RM10,500 for permanent disability from accidents.
Separately, Prime Minister Anwar mentioned the launch of the Sahabat Penggerak MADANI national volunteer initiative, which supports the Malaysia MADANI agenda by enhancing communication of government policies at the grassroots level. By December 2025, 3,000 volunteers had been recruited to serve as speakers, facilitators, and trainers. Volunteers will receive official ID cards, training from the Malaysian Nationhood Academy, and benefits from strategic partners like Mydin and Hotel Seri Malaysia, along with certificates acknowledging their contributions.
The three-day Rancakkan MADANI programme, commencing on Friday, offered more than 300 touchpoint services, a career carnival, interactive exhibitions, family entertainment, and special promotions. This event continues the tradition of the One Year with the MADANI Government and Two Years of MADANI Government programmes, serving as platforms for the administration to report its achievements directly to the public.