Zahid: RM1.11b set for Sabah's rural infrastructure, education and economy
PUTATAN, May 18 — The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has allocated RM1.11 billion for rural development in Sabah this year, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the allocation covered social infrastructure projects, including the construction of rural roads, provision of electricity, and water supply systems, aimed at improving access, quality of life, and sustainability for the rural population.
According to him, there is still a significant gap that must be addressed, particularly in terms of basic infrastructure, economic access, education, and rural digitalisation, therefore, KKDW remains committed to implementing comprehensive high-impact programmes, including in Sabah, to close this gap.
'There are no major electricity issues in urban areas, so rural areas must also have a good electricity supply, like in urban areas. Similarly, rural infrastructure such as roads needs to be upgraded and improved,' he said while officiating the closing ceremony of the 'Sentuhan Kasih Desa MADANI Bersama Pimpinan' event here last night.
Also present were Sabah Community Development Department (Kemas) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is also Kinabatangan MP, and Kemas director-general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man.
Ahmad Zahid said that to uplift every rural child from an early age and ensure no one is left behind, KKDW was currently implementing three high-impact early education initiatives, now in the pilot phase.
He said the Smart Classroom@KEMAS initiative introduced a high-tech kindergarten and nursery model with the integration of digital Teaching and Learning (PdP), smart infrastructure facilities, and efficient governance.
He added that the PeliTa@KEMAS Programme aimed to produce a generation of young Huffaz aged seven to 12 who not only memorised 'Juz Amma', the last or 30th part of the Quran, but who also followed a systematic and phased Quranic study syllabus.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the TABIKA Tunas Istimewa@KEMAS provided appropriate early education opportunities for children with special needs, particularly those with autism, so that they could also enjoy fair and comprehensive education.
'Through Kemas, I have also requested for care and attention to be extended to Kemas nurseries and preschools as well as the Desa Community Centres. Any Kemas preschool or nursery in a dilapidated condition, especially in Sabah, must be upgraded immediately so that our children can use them comfortably,' he said.
Ahmad Zahid said KKDW, through Kemas, had also allocated RM1.06 million for community development and entrepreneurship programmes, along with another RM1.27 million for skills education that would directly benefit the people of Sabah.
He said that in driving rural economic growth, KKDW was also strengthening economic empowerment programmes such as the Mini Estet Sejahtera programme, Desa Harapan programme, MADANI Rural Entrepreneurs initiative, and expanding the reach of Digital Economy Centres throughout rural areas in Sabah.
At the same event, he also announced an allocation of RM500,000 for lift upgrading works, as well as an additional RM500,000 for the water tank system for the comfort and safety of residents at the Seri Keramat People's Housing Project (PPR) here. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Rafizi takes a swipe at education ministry, defends early resignation
Rafizi Ramli said he felt it was better to resign than be a 'lame duck' minister after his party election loss, as he had lost the support of the prime minister. PETALING JAYA : Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has taken a swipe at the education ministry after coming under criticism for his early resignation from the Cabinet, saying he refused to become a 'lame duck' minister or a 'yes man' after being defeated as PKR deputy president. He said he had resigned because it was clear he had lost the prime minister's confidence, making it impossible to carry out reforms effectively. In the debut episode of his Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast, Rafizi defended his work as a minister, saying 'about 80% of what I planned was approved by the Cabinet. These are all done'. Referring to criticism of his resignation, he said: 'I get annoyed sometimes. The economy ministry gets all the questions. Go ask the education ministry — it's been two and a half years. Where's the major policy framework? Nothing. 'But they're busy talking about someone who resigned.' Rafizi said he had completed most of his key initiatives during his tenure, including the 13th Malaysia Plan, energy transition, labour market reforms, progressive wage policy, fiscal reforms, targeted subsidies, and digital government initiatives. Better to resign than be ineffective Rafizi, who lost to Nurul Izzah Anwar for the deputy PKR president's post last month, said it was better to resign than become a 'lame duck' minister. Rafizi said he stepped down not because he was throwing a fit, but because it was clear he had lost the prime minister's confidence, making it impossible to carry out reforms effectively. He said staying on would have meant either becoming a powerless figurehead or facing constant rejection of his policies. 'When Nurul Izzah contested against me, it was clear she had Anwar's blessing. That sends a signal to the civil service that I no longer have the prime minister's support,' he said. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is the PKR president and Nurul Izzah's father. 'If the prime minister no longer believes in your leadership, it's better to step down. If I had stayed on, I would have been a lame duck minister. If I tried to continue working effectively, I would have dragged the ministry down.' 'Unless I was willing to just clock in and out every day, but that's not who I am.' Rafizi said politics was about the responsible distribution of resources and values, and doing it efficiently and ethically. 'I get the most satisfaction from making real change, not from holding office without the ability to act.' Not a team player? Responding to criticism that he wasn't a team player during his time in the Cabinet, Rafizi pointed to his track record in Petronas and his work in leading thousands of volunteers to help PKR win over 40 seats in the 2018 general election He argued that being a team player doesn't mean saying 'yes' to everything. 'A good leader surrounds themselves with people who have the courage to disagree and who work based on competence and integrity — not just 'yes men'.' Rafizi also dismissed speculation that he plans to start a new political party, stating that it would only lead to instability within the country. However, he acknowledged that many long-time PKR supporters were disillusioned, adding that he plans to work closely with them. 'We don't need new drama. We need to focus on what matters,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
6 judges honoured with rare elevation ceremony in Penang
The six judges with presiding senior Justice Rozana Ali Yusoff after the elevation ceremony at the High Court in George Town. GEORGE TOWN : Six High Court judges were honoured at a rare judicial elevation ceremony here today, reviving a long-standing tradition with roots dating back over two centuries. Today's ceremony presided over by senior judge Justice Rozana Ali Yusoff was the first to honour six judges at once. They were: Quay Chew Soon, Anand Ponnudurai, Azizan Arshad, Kenneth Yoong Ken Chinson St James, Fathiyah Idris and Rofiah Mohamad. Penang Bar chair Gowri Subbaiyah said the elevation ceremony usually takes place only when judicial commissioners are confirmed as High Court judges, 'which usually takes two to three years'. However, some among the six judges had been confirmed over the past three years but had not been formally recognised. 'Since they are still serving here, we felt it was only right to include them,' she said. It is understood that the elevation ceremony was last held in 2017, when Justice Lim Chong Fong, now a judge at the Court of Appeal, was elevated to the High Court. After today's ceremony, Justice St James described his confirmation as both humbling and liberating. 'I'm beholden to no one now. Only to God, my oath, the Constitution, and the rule of law,' he said. Justice Quay said his time in Penang had been both challenging and rewarding. 'I've enjoyed the cases, especially the complex ones, as they test the mind. And I've enjoyed the food and the people even more,' he said, adding that Penang was 'the best station a judge could hope for'. Justice Fathiyah paid tribute to the senior lawyers who helped her grow when she was a sessions court judge in Ipoh. Justice Anand, best known for his work in employment law, said the variety of cases in Penang had pushed him to grow. 'I've had to learn Acts of Parliament I never knew existed. And it's been worth it,' he said. 'My guiding rule is simple. I must be honest with myself. If I sign a judgment, it's because I believe it's the right decision.' The elevation ceremony is believed to have its beginnings in 1808 when the colonial settlement received its charter of justice, which led to the founding of the first formal court. Elevation ceremonies used to include a procession where judges would walk in full regalia from St George's Church to the court building. Although public processions are no longer held, the 'ceremonial spirit lives on', according to lawyer T Tharumarajah, who said the ceremony is aimed at introducing new judges to the public. It also serves as a bridge between the bar and the bench. He said: 'Judges and lawyers are meant to engage (with one another), not keep apart. But after the scandals that rocked the judiciary in the early 2000s, that bond weakened. It shouldn't be that way.'
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Abang Jo to ‘table something' at special Sarawak assembly sitting
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg is expected to table a bill at a special one-day sitting of the state assembly. PETALING JAYA : The Sarawak legislative assembly will convene on July 7 for a special one-day sitting, with state premier Abang Johari Openg expected to table a bill. The Borneo Post reported that a letter on the special sitting, which starts at 9am, has been sent to assemblymen, although the purpose was not disclosed. Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian was also reticent about the agenda of the meeting when asked by reporters, saying simply that Abang Johari would be 'tabling something' on the day without elaborating further.
