Alor setar: The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) has allocated grants totaling more than RM16.2 million to implement the Desa Lestari Programme (PDL) in the state. KEDA chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid announced that the allocation involves 16 cooperatives in Kedah participating in the programme since its inception in 2013.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) appointed KEDA as the implementing agency for PDL, with an allocation of RM15.593 million. Additionally, the Human Capital and Community Programme received RM661,192. The overall allocation supports cooperatives in the tourism, services, livestock, and manufacturing sectors.

During a ceremony, Mahdzir revealed that RM1 million had been specifically allocated to Koperasi Desa KEDA Sungai Udang Bhd to enhance tourism activities in the region. This funding covers the purchase of an exploration boat, a tourist boat, scuba diving equipment, the construction of a storage facility, boat fittings, and operating costs for the tourist boat project.

Mahdzir expressed hopes that the Desa Lestari Programme would enable the cooperative to manage tourist boat operations systematically, leveraging their experience since 2018. KEDA plans to monitor the cooperative's performance in terms of income, job creation, and achievement reports over a five-year period.

The programme aims to promote Pulau Songsong as a new tourism destination in Kedah, following the appointment of Koperasi Desa KEDA Sungai Udang Bhd as the island's official operator by the Yan District Council in November last year. The boats are expected to attract visitors through water-based tourism activities like scuba diving.

At the same event, Mahdzir also presented land grants to 21 recipients from Desa KEDA Sungai Udang.