KUALA LUMPUR: Budget 2025 intends to look after the welfare of those living in rural areas by boosting development, particularly in Sarawak and Sabah, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"It is an inclusive budget which touched on the lives at every level of society. It does not sideline those living in the rural areas, (including in) Sarawak and Sabah,” he told media after the Budget 2025 tabling on Friday (Oct 18)
"It is the largest budget by far for Rural and Regional Development Ministry which saw an allocation increase of RM457mil, bringing the total allocation for the ministry to RM11.9bil," he pointed out.
Ahmad Zahid who is the Rural and Regional Development Minister added that a significant portion of the budget would go towards rural development projects rather than on operating expenditure.
"RM2.5bil will be used to improve water, electricity supply and infrastructure in the rural areas.
"This includes RM350mil to develop rural roads," he said.
He also said that RM2.5bil was set aside to benefit settlers under Flecra, Felda and Risda, which would bring much relief to them.
"There are 8.1 Malaysians living in the rural areas.
"The budget shows that the Prime Minister cares about them and will not sideline them," he added.
