By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Oct 11: Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says Budget 2024 will maintain its focus on rural development to ensure that no one is left behind.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, highlighted that a significant portion of Malaysia’s population, specifically 8.01 million individuals or 24.5 per cent, resides in rural areas.
“For Budget 2024, which will be tabled (in the Dewan Rakyat) on Friday, Oct 13, we have submitted to the Ministry of Economy and the Treasury our request for allocations for rural areas, which include approximately 24.5 per cent of the country’s population, or 8.01 million people,” he told reporters after chairing the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s coordination meeting with rural executive councillors (Mexclub) today at a hotel in Kuching.
He also disclosed that Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, will give priority to rural development in Budget 2024.
“Our goal is to actively drive and empower progress and development in rural areas. We aim to ensure that the people and children living in rural areas are not left behind or marginalised in the pursuit of progress,” he added.
When asked for details about the expected allocations, he said to wait for the tabling of Budget 2024 on Friday, Oct 13.
On another development, Ahmad Zahid said that the establishment of 10 regional development agencies in 10 areas in Sarawak is a gamechanger that should serve as an example for other states in the country.
He acknowledged that the establishment of the 10 regional development agencies by the Sarawak government has significantly contributed to the progress witnessed in rural areas.
Among the regional development agencies are Highland Development Agency (HDA), Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda), Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA), Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), Sri Aman Development Agency (Sada), Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA), Rajang Delta Development Agency (Radda), Rascom Development Agency (Rada), and Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA).
“We looked into Sarawak’s success in establishing 10 regional development agencies that are committed to technology without ignoring the basic needs of rural residents.
“We will prioritise high-tech courses, particularly those aligned with labour demand in the current industrial market.
“This is to change the mindset of prospective job seekers and entrepreneurs from white-collar to blue-collar jobs that promise remuneration that exceeds the average market wages,” Ahmad Zahid noted.
The meeting was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang and Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development (M-Ficord) Sarawak Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. — DayakDaily
