KEMAMAN – The success of the Terengganu Tengah Development Authority (Ketengah) in socio-economic development in the rural areas shows that agencies under the Keluarga Malaysia government are good at economic management, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The caretaker prime minister said Ketengah had successfully developed rural areas exceeding 650,000ha for the benefit of more than 168,000 residents.
Ketengah had been given the mandate to undertake socio-economic development in the rural areas so that less competitive places would gain commercial value to be on par with those in towns, he said when speaking at a gathering with Ketengah members at Kompleks Sukan Bandar Seri Bandi here today.
Recognising Ketengah’s potential, Ismail Sabri said, the development budget of Ketengah had been increased from RM39 million in 2022 to RM56 million in 2023.
“This increase shows that government agencies under the Keluarga Malaysia government are efficient, possess integrity, and are good at economic management,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said Ketengah had also implemented entrepreneur development programmes to encourage rural residents to venture into business to improve their economic status.
A total of 67 entrepreneurs had fully received grants amounting to RM560,000 as part of these efforts by Ketengah, he added.
“I am confident that Ketengah’s desire to boost the income of rural entrepreneurs can be realised through various development approaches which are implemented in a comprehensive manner,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said 4,053 units of houses and premises worth RM74.05 million have been provided to Keluarga Malaysia in Ketengah to give them a more conducive, safer and better quality living environment.
“Of this number, 91% have received their grants, while 214 people from Dungun and Kemaman districts will be given their land titles today,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said as a former rural development minister, he understands the difficulties faced by the rural community, especially in socio-economic development.
“All sorts of planning and policy implementation have been undertaken by the government for the benefit of the rural community,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said the government would continue to implement initiatives to help those impacted by the effects of global crises like climate change disasters and geopolitical developments, which have affected the food supply chain.
Caretaker rural development minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Ketengah chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said were also present at the event. – Bernama, October 21, 2022
