The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development will focus on human capital and techno-entrepreneurship next year, building on export successes.
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will intensify development efforts next year with a dual focus on human capital and rural entrepreneurship.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the ministry will particularly promote techno-entrepreneur initiatives.
He stated the goal is not only to improve product quality but to ensure rural products reach international markets.
“Through MIHAS@Shanghai, we recorded a new milestone of over RM3.2 billion in transactions, proving that Malaysian rural products have penetrated international markets,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly.
On human capital, he noted nearly 300 MARA TVET institutions currently achieve a 98.7% graduate employability rate.
The ministry aims to raise this rate to 99% in the coming year.
Ahmad Zahid also highlighted a significant increase in Orang Asli students pursuing university education this year.
He said these efforts will continue through careful planning at the KKDW retreat scheduled for March.
The minister explained that performance is based on meticulous planning, citing 42 “game changers” implemented this year.
He reported that 95% of those initiatives achieved their intended outcomes.
Ahmad Zahid said 2025 will mark a new phase for KKDW in strengthening a value-driven and high-impact work culture.
This aligns with the ministry’s social and corporate responsibilities to rural communities.
He stressed staff must understand the organisation’s two main underpinning tasks.
The first is social responsibility to ensure the public benefits from government work.
The second is corporate responsibility for agencies like MARA, RISDA, FELCRA, JAKOA, and the Regional Development Authorities.
These agencies must operate transparently and achieve their strategic targets, he added.
Ahmad Zahid emphasised the need for three new work cultures to meet challenges.
These are rapid response to prevent crises, operating as one unified team, and delivering excellence felt by the people.
He concluded that these principles will be translated into action via the upcoming retreat and the KKDW Strategic Plan 2026-2030. – Bernama
