Malaysia’s Rural Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun aims to ensure 95% of the rural population especially in Sabah will enjoy quality and efficient basic Infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply by 2025. The target is in line with the Rural Development Policy 2030 aimed at achieving the vision of prospering the rural population within ten years covering human, social and economic development.
Rina stated that the Ministry has identified the critical steps of improving the Infrastructure facilities in rural areas to provide quality basic amenities and to support rural entrepreneurship by creating platform to enter wider market. Several initiatives have been taken by the Ministry including seeking investment to create employment opportunities; strengthening the internet access to encourage e-commerce and enhancing the Ministry’s 191 rural community centers nationwide as a hub for villagers to send their products.
As of July 31, the federal government had spent MYR 200,571 (USD 48,162) on rural Infrastructure projects in Sabah including roads, water and electricity supply as well as social amenities programs. The amount was part of the MYR 1.14 billion (USD 272 million) allocation provided to develop the Infrastructure in Sabah this year.
(Sources: Free Malaysia Today; Malay Mail; The Edge Prop)
