REMBAU: The Barisan Nasional government is grateful to the rural community for always sticking by the ruling coalition, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said on its part, the Government would never forget the rural folk for giving Barisan the mandate to rule.
“It makes me happy that the rural community has always supported us. For that, we will never abandon you,” he said at the national-level Ilham Desa award ceremony.
The awards, under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, encourages innovative and creative ideas among entrepreneurs in the rural areas.
Muhyiddin said the 11th Malaysia Plan, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Thursday was yet another proof of the Government’s commitment towards the rural folk.
“We have been doing this from day one. And for the next five years, you will continue to remain our priority,” he said.
Muhyiddin said many more rural areas had been earmarked as new growth centres and this would be realised before Malaysia is declared a developed nation by 2020.
He said more remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak would have access to electricity and water supply.
“We also want to ensure that people in the rural areas are also able to supplement their incomes through new economic activities,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the 11th Malaysia Plan was a comprehensive, carefully thought out plan, unlike the Opposition’s Buku Jingga, which he described as lacking in substance.
“The Opposition makes empty promises but the 11th Malaysia Plan is based on facts and data and supported details of how it would be implemented,” he added.
“The Government will provide more opportunities to youths in rural areas access to vocational and technical studies.
“Apart from creating jobs in rural areas, the plan will also enable them to remain in their communities without having to move to cities for jobs,” he said.
Among those at the award presentation were Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also Rembau MP.-thestar
