Ministry seeks to help small villages

KUANTAN: Small villages will be grouped together or come under existing new villages so that they can be developed.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said that about 50 villages had been identified that the ministry could “adopt”.

“For example, Kampung Sungei Lembing is a village which has no classification unlike other new villages which receive development funds under my ministry.

“This village also cannot set up a village security and development committee because it is not designated a village.

“I was informed there are at least eight such villages in Pahang alone,” he said after opening the Sungai Lembing hawker centre near here on Saturday.

Ong said his ministry would get details on the small villages for the Cabinet’s attention.

“We intend to submit a recommendation before the end of the year so that all these villages will be officially recognised.

“Presently, the 450 new villages get government funds to develop infrastructure. It is time we move one step further to develop other categories of villages which have been overlooked,” he said.