Kuala Lumpur: 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, stated that the allocation is targeted towards social infrastructure projects, including the construction of rural roads and the provision of electricity and water supply systems, to enhance access, quality of life, and sustainability for the rural population.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, there remains a significant gap in basic infrastructure, economic access, education, and rural digitalisation that needs to be addressed. Therefore, KKDW is committed to implementing comprehensive high-impact programmes, including those in Sabah, to bridge 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,’ said Ahmad Zahid during the closing ceremony of the “Sentuhan Kasih Desa MADANI Bersama Pimpinan” event.
Also present at the event 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 emphasized that to uplift every rural child from an early age and ensure inclusivity, KKDW is currently piloting three high-impact early education initiatives.
The Smart Classroom@KEMAS initiative is one such model, integrating digital Teaching and Learning (PdP) with smart infrastructure and efficient governance. Additionally, the PeliTa@KEMAS Programme aims to cultivate a generation of young Huffaz aged seven to 12, who not only memorize ‘Juz Amma’, the last part of the Quran but also follow a structured Quranic study syllabus. The TABIKA Tunas Istimewa@KEMAS provides early education opportunities for children with special needs, particularly those with autism, ensuring they receive fair and comprehensive education.
Ahmad Zahid further mentioned that care and attention should be extended to Kemas nurseries, preschools, and Desa Community Centres, especially those in a dilapidated condition in Sabah, to be upgraded for better usability. Moreover, KKDW has allocated RM1.06 million for community development and entrepreneurship programmes, and RM1.27 million for skills education, directly benefiting the people of Sabah.
In efforts to drive rural economic growth, KKDW is reinforcing economic empowerment programmes like the Mini Estet Sejahtera programme, Desa Harapan programme, MADANI Rural Entrepreneurs initiative, and is expanding Digital Economy Centres throughout rural Sabah. At the same event, Ahmad Zahid also announced an allocation of RM500,000 for lift upgrading works, along with an additional RM500,000 for the water tank system at the Seri Keramat People’s Housing Project (PPR).