Rural transformation in Malaysia gains pace as the third Rural Development HLC meeting agrees on key initiatives including school upgrades and digital ecosystem improvements.
PUTRAJAYA: Efforts to accelerate rural transformation in line with the aspirations of the 13th Malaysia Plan (MP13) took centre stage at the third Rural Development High-Level Committee (HLC) Meeting today.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the meeting, which he chaired today, reached several key agreements aimed at enhancing rural development and improving the quality of life in rural communities.
Among the priorities identified was the upgrading of infrastructure in rural schools through strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), particularly to benefit schools in remote areas.
“Early childhood education in FELDA areas will also be coordinated under the Community Development Department (KEMAS) in phases beginning June 2026, to ensure a more structured and high-quality delivery system,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the meeting also agreed to strengthen the rural digital ecosystem through closer collaboration between the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) and the Rural Community Centre (PKD) under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.
The initiative aims to optimise the use of existing facilities while expanding digital access and opportunities for rural communities.
He added that the government would continue to reinforce the “Whole of Government”, “Whole of Society” and “Data-Driven Governance” approaches to improve policy coordination and enhance implementation effectiveness.
These efforts, he said, reflect the commitment of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development to narrowing the rural-urban development gap while ensuring inclusive, balanced and sustainable growth for all Malaysians.
