KUALA LUMPUR: A high-level committee (HLC) on rural development has been set up to coordinate efforts across ministries to address rural-urban development challenges, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who chaired the inaugural HLC meeting in Parliament, said the committee will be the apex strategic platform to align rural development policies and programmes.
“The current development of rural areas is facing increasingly complex challenges from overlapping functions between ministries and agencies to resource constraints and siloed implementation,” Zahid said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 14)
The HLC, which will convene at least twice a year, is supported by six working committees focusing on key areas: education, entrepreneurship, rural economy, digitalisation, rural tourism, and infrastructure.
Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the initiative is in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which emphasises integrated governance to reduce duplication, optimise resources, and speed up outcomes.
He also cited a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report that stated that no Asean country is on track to fully achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to rural development by 2030 without better coordination in infrastructure, workforce, human capital, and poverty reduction efforts.
"Key areas discussed during the HLC meeting included improving access to rural schools, enhancing rural tourism promotion, strengthening support for senior citizens and special needs groups, and upgrading rural healthcare infrastructure," he said.
Several cross-ministry initiatives are already in motion, including the UP_TVET, a centralised application system for vocational and technical training and Inap Desa 2026, aimed at positioning homestays as key attractions during Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Zahid said the government intended to curb rural-urban migration by creating more opportunities in rural areas, nurturing rural tech entrepreneurs, and enhancing the competitiveness of the rural tourism sector.
“Rural development is not just about building physical infrastructure. It’s about building the future and unlocking the potential of our people,” he said.
“With a whole-of-government approach, I am confident this HLC will help create a thriving, sustainable rural ecosystem that contributes significantly to national progress,” he added.
