Kuala lumpur: Kampung Desa Murni Kerdau in Temerloh, Pahang: won three awards at the World Rural Development Day 2026 celebration held at Tun Abdul Razak Stadium, Jengka Sentral, here today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the village was crowned the 2025 MADANI Rural Aspiration Award Champion, in addition to receiving the Rural Community Profiling Aspiration Special Award and the Sustainable Management Special Award. The 2025 MADANI Rural Aspiration Award was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, while the other two special awards were presented by Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang.

Chairman of the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) of Desa Murni Kerdau, Mohamad Fazrul Ahmad, stated that the recognition proved the village's excellence in governance, leadership, and community development. "On behalf of the leadership of Desa Murni, I express my deepest appreciation to the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development for organising a very meaningful award in recognising the development of rural communities," he told reporters after the award presentation ceremony.

Mohamad Fazrul highlighted that Desa Murni Kerdau had produced about 20 entrepreneurs in fields such as small and medium industries (SMEs), agriculture, and automotive. The village is also known for the "Kampung Stay" tourism product, making it one of the well-known rural tourism destinations in the country.

"Desa Murni Kerdau is a traditional village that is well-organised, with about 200 houses and more than 600 residents," he said. He further mentioned that the prize money received would be distributed to the residents and used for village improvement and development projects to benefit the local community.