KUALA LUMPUR: The substitution of the word "pembangunan” (development) with "kemajuan” (progress) in the Bahasa Malaysia name of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry gives more significance to its efforts, says Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said while both words signified advancement and upgrade, the meaning of "development” usually carried a wider dimension and "progress”, which is part of development, refers to going forward with a clearer objective.
"This is the desire of the government so that ‘kemajuan’ (progress) can be measured in a specific and clearer manner in rural and regional development,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday (Jan 9).
On Dec 10, Ahmad Zahid announced that the ministry’s name in Bahasa Malaysia had been changed to Kementerian Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah from Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar previously, with its English equivalent now being Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
Ahmad Zahid also said the ministry was using the SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) formula in measuring progress and development.
He said the SMART framework and formula allowed the ministry's agenda to be implemented in a strategic manner in line with the Desa concept introduced earlier covering data and digital, economy, social and character; as well as access and environment.
Ahmad Zahid also suggested that all agencies under the ministry adopt SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to produce optimum results.
He said setting benchmarks for rural development should focus on successful practices in places like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Europe among others.
This would give planners a more comprehensive perspective and help them achieve the best for the country, he added. – Bernama
