Latest news with #MinistryofRuralandRegionalDevelopment
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
RISDA Launches Major Mission To Empower Sarawak Rubber Smallholders
SERIAN, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), through its agency the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Sarawak's rubber smallholder community with a comprehensive development plan. As part of this effort, RISDA announced a RM42.69 million allocation for strategic development programmes aimed at empowering smallholders across the state. The announcement was made during the Pekebun Kecil Makmur programme and pre-Gawai 2025 celebration, held in Kampung Raeh Baru today, which around 1,000 smallholders and local residents attended. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi officiated the event, which aimed to foster closer ties between the ministry, rural communities and rubber smallholders in the region. In addition to outlining development plans, RISDA also distributed food aid to 100 residents as part of the RISDA Foundation's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. One of the recipients, Minang Dawi, 43, stated that RISDA had played a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of smallholders in Kampung Raeh Baru, particularly through replanting initiatives and support for supplementary crops such as pineapples, lemongrass and bananas. 'These are now bearing fruit and bringing returns,' she said, adding that she hoped RISDA could also help farmers reach broader markets. 'Our crops are thriving, but we don't yet know how to market them more widely. We hope RISDA can support us in this area,' she added. Another rubber smallholder, Tajan Paing, 70, expressed gratitude for RISDA's support, which had helped his rubber trees begin to yield, but urged the agency to improve the poor farm roads that continue to hamper access and transportation.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Five KKDW 'Sick Projects' in Sarawak To Be Completed Under 13MP
KUCHING, May 30 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants the five projects categorised as 'sick projects' in Sarawak, involving the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) and 12MP, to be completed during the 13MP period. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the causes for the projects' delay included site issues such as permits, land acquisition and overlapping pipe alignments, in addition to weather conditions. "Since the 13MP will be tabled at the coming Dewan Rakyat session, any sick projects will be expedited and its completion period must be within the 13MP, namely from Rolling Plan 1 to 5. "For example, for non-sick projects, but projects that have been delayed, namely the Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) in Lawas which has obtained approval but not yet implemented… my instructions is that it must be implemented under the 13MP Rolling Plan 1,' he said. He said this at a media conference after attending the Special Meeting on the Implementation of KKDW Development Projects in Sarawak here today. Ahmad Zahid said that following the landslide incident in Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri in January, which completely damaged 14 houses, efforts to rebuild the houses of all the affected residents would be carried out after the Gawai Day celebration. "A suitable plot of land has been obtained as determined by the Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (PELITA), with the implementation carried out by the state government agency,' he said, adding that the incident affected a total of 277 residents in the affected settlement. He also said that his ministry plans to set up the MARA Poly-Tech College (KPTM) of Sarawak either in Kuching or Samarahan to expand opportunities for youths in the state to further their studies at the pre-diploma, diploma and foundation level. He is targeting a total of 1,000 students to study at the KPTM by 2028.
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to benefit from 703 new homes, 2,191 renovations under RM112.4 mln PPRS
Rubiah (fourth left) presents a symbolic house key to one of the PPRS recipients in Kampung Asajaya Laut. KUCHING (May 24): The federal Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has allocated RM112.4 million to implement the Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera (PPRS), a housing initiative aimed at improving living conditions for the poor in Sarawak in 2025. In a statement, the ministry announced that the funding will be used to build 703 new housing units and renovate 2,191 existing homes under the PPRS scheme in Sarawak this year. 'The implementation of this PPRS programme reflects KKDW's commitment to ensuring rural residents have access to quality housing, in line with efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable rural development,' it said. The statement was issued following a site visit by KKDW deputy minister Datuk Rubiah Wang, who officiated a walkabout and symbolic handover of PPRS houses at Kampung Asajaya Laut, Asajaya recently. KKDW further explained that the PPRS initiative is a continuation and enhancement of the Hardcore Poor's Housing Programme (PPRT) which was reintroduced on Oct 1, 2024, to assist hardcoor poor families in securing safe and comfortable homes. Apart from the name change to PPRS, the financial aid for newly built homes has been increased to RM79,000 per unit for Peninsular Malaysia, and RM85,000 per unit for Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories. Renovation support has also been increased to RM20,000. 'The house area has also been increased to 680 square feet with a flexible house design, as well as a new layout that allows for either horizontal or vertical construction, with a sharia-friendly concept,' it said. The ministry also revealed that under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2024), a total RM377.7 million was allocated for Sarawak's Housing Assistance Programme. This funding has supported the construction of 2,317 new housing units and 10,629 renovated housing units, benefitting approximately 64,730 households to date. 'KKDW remains committed to improving the living standards and well-being of rural residents, especially in Sarawak,' it added. housing initiative KKDW PPRS Rubiah Wang
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Comprehensive rural youth development plan needed to produce rural generation capable of navigating modern world challenges
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) to formulate a comprehensive Rural Youth Development Plan aimed at producing a digitally literate, knowledgeable and skilled young rural generation capable of navigating challenges of the modern world. He said the plan would not only create job opportunities through the establishment of Rural Gig Hubs, but also nurture young leadership by appointing Rural Youth Ambassadors to serve as the voice and representative of the new rural generation. 'Through this plan, we can also introduce the ASEAN Rural Youth Exchange Programme, offering our young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience on an international platform,' he said when speaking at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's Monthly Assembly here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, expressed confidence that the ministry could develop the plan with the active involvement of all agencies under the ministry, coordinated through a dedicated platform or committee. 'Our goal is clear, I want Malaysian Rural Youth to penetrate borders, explore the world and compete on the global stage. They are not just the heirs of the nation, but the country's strategic assets and drivers of Malaysia's future,' he said. Commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's message delivered during a meeting with the KKDW leadership last March, Ahmad Zahid said the prime minister had stressed the importance of ensuring that every basic rural development project is implemented effectively, with tangible benefits that can be felt and appreciated by the people. 'The Prime Minister also reminded us that monitoring must be carried out diligently and comprehensively, with accurate reports submitted to Cabinet Ministers and that all arising issues should be addressed without delay,' he said. As a follow-up measure, Ahmad Zahid suggested that KKDW develop a comprehensive and transparent monthly performance schedule to serve as a reference in tracking the progress of projects and the delivery of aid to the community. He also highlighted the importance of having complete, fact-based data to ensure that no target group is left behind in the Rural Transformation Agenda. 'We must move based on data, lead with information and act with confidence. The guidance and direction are already in place, now it's time for us to focus on delivering real, impactful actions on the ground, not just plans that look good on paper,' he said. Meanwhile, he called on the Community Development Department (KEMAS) to strengthen engagement sessions with parents and educators to evaluate the impact of the implementation of the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Programme, which has been running for a year. 'These engagements are crucial for gathering feedback and suggestions for improvements, including the proposal to establish a Special Needs Nursery,' he said. He said initiatives like these play a significant role in driving social mobility within rural communities, and KKDW needs to ensure that every programme genuinely impacts people's lives and delivers meaningful change.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Comprehensive rural youth development plan needed
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) to formulate a comprehensive Rural Youth Development Plan aimed at producing a digitally literate, knowledgeable and skilled young rural generation capable of navigating challenges of the modern world. He said the plan would not only create job opportunities through the establishment of Rural Gig Hubs, but also nurture young leadership by appointing Rural Youth Ambassadors to serve as the voice and representative of the new rural generation. 'Through this plan, we can also introduce the ASEAN Rural Youth Exchange Programme, offering our young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience on an international platform,' he said when speaking at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's Monthly Assembly here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, expressed confidence that the ministry could develop the plan with the active involvement of all agencies under the ministry, coordinated through a dedicated platform or committee. 'Our goal is clear, I want Malaysian Rural Youth to penetrate borders, explore the world and compete on the global stage. They are not just the heirs of the nation, but the country's strategic assets and drivers of Malaysia's future,' he said. Commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's message delivered during a meeting with the KKDW leadership last March, Ahmad Zahid said the prime minister had stressed the importance of ensuring that every basic rural development project is implemented effectively, with tangible benefits that can be felt and appreciated by the people. 'The Prime Minister also reminded us that monitoring must be carried out diligently and comprehensively, with accurate reports submitted to Cabinet Ministers and that all arising issues should be addressed without delay,' he said. As a follow-up measure, Ahmad Zahid suggested that KKDW develop a comprehensive and transparent monthly performance schedule to serve as a reference in tracking the progress of projects and the delivery of aid to the community. He also highlighted the importance of having complete, fact-based data to ensure that no target group is left behind in the Rural Transformation Agenda. 'We must move based on data, lead with information and act with confidence. The guidance and direction are already in place, now it's time for us to focus on delivering real, impactful actions on the ground, not just plans that look good on paper,' he said. Meanwhile, he called on the Community Development Department (KEMAS) to strengthen engagement sessions with parents and educators to evaluate the impact of the implementation of the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Programme, which has been running for a year. 'These engagements are crucial for gathering feedback and suggestions for improvements, including the proposal to establish a Special Needs Nursery,' he said. He said initiatives like these play a significant role in driving social mobility within rural communities, and KKDW needs to ensure that every programme genuinely impacts people's lives and delivers meaningful change.
