PUTRAJAYA, Aug 12 — Sponsorships for this year’s Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations have risen to more than RM48 million, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil announced today, describing the contributions as a “public-private partnership” success.
Of the total, RM2.7 million was contributed in cash, while the remaining RM45.93 million comprised contributions in the form of goods and services.
“The ministry is deeply honoured to announce that the total value of sponsorship for HKHM 2026, as verified by the Ministry of Communications Sponsorship Committee to date, amounts to RM48.63 million,” the minister said at an event to celebrate the sponsors here.
“This amount represents a highly encouraging increase of more than 118 per cent compared to last year, which was RM22.3 million.”
Malaysia celebrates its independence on August 31 and Malaysia Day on September 16.
This year’s Merdeka celebration will be held at the iconic Dataran Merdeka.
To date, 139 strategic partners had agreed to contribute to the celebrations. From the total sponsorship value, half is in the form of promotion and 30 percent in the form of goods to be given to visitors.
The remaining 20 per cent consists of sponsorship or the committees involved in organising the two celebrations.
Fahmi asserted the huge participation from mostly the private sector reflected their trust, confidence, and readiness “to come together and make this deeply meaningful celebration a success.”
“Therefore, on behalf of the Ministry of Communications, I express my highest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all Strategic Partners of HKHM 2026, regardless of the size or value of their contributions,” he said.
Companies that contributed will get tax incentives in return.
Fahmi said the Ministry of Finance has once again approved the celebrations “as a national interest project” pursuant to the provisions under subsection 44(11C) of the Income Tax Act 1967.
This means that, in addition to tax relief for cash contributions, individuals and companies that contribute in-kind from April 1, 2026, to September 16, 2026, can claim a tax deduction of up to 10 percent of their aggregate income for the current assessment year, subject to a ceiling limit of RM15 million.
“Given that the value of in-kind sponsorships this year is highly encouraging and has increased manifold, the Ministry of Communications will submit an appeal to the Ministry of Finance to consider raising the tax deduction incentive ceiling limit for sponsors, God willing,” the minister said.
