PUTATAN: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has allocated RM1.11bil for rural development in Sabah in 2025, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the allocation covered social infrastructure projects, including the construction of rural roads, provision of electricity, and water supply systems, aimed at improving access, quality of life and sustainability for the rural population.
He said there was still a significant gap to be addressed, particularly in terms of basic infrastructure, economic access, education and rural digitalisation.
The ministry, he said, remains committed to implementing comprehensive high-impact programmes, including in Sabah, to close 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," he said while officiating the closing ceremony of the "Sentuhan Kasih Desa Madani Bersama Pimpinan" event here on Saturday (May 17) night.
Also present 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. – Bernama
