Budget 2024: Rural areas will not be left behind under, says Ahmad Zahid

KUCHING: Rural development will continue to be prioritised in Budget 2024 so that no one will be left behind, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said 8.01 million people in Malaysia, or 24.5% of the population, still lived in rural areas.

"As such, the Prime Minister, who is also Finance Minister, will give priority to rural development in Budget 2024.

"This will spur and strengthen rural development so that people in rural areas will not be left behind," he told a press conference after chairing the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's coordination meeting with rural executive councillors (Mexclub) here on Wednesday (Oct 11).

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said his ministry had submitted its request for allocations to the Economy Ministry and Treasury for consideration.

Asked how much allocations were expected, he said to wait for Budget 2024's tabling on Friday (Oct 13).

Separately, Ahmad Zahid said Sarawak's regional development agencies were a "gamechanger" which other states could learn from.

"We looked at Sarawak's achievement in setting up 10 regional development agencies, which take into account a commitment to technology without neglecting the basic needs of rural folk," he said.

In addition, he said the ministry would focus on providing hi-tech courses, especially for skills in demand by industries.

"We want to change the mindset of job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs from blue-collar jobs to white-collar jobs which offer higher pay," he said.