GUA MUSANG, July 23 — The Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) has approved a RM200 million allocation for road upgrading projects in several Orang Asli settlements in Kelantan.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the projects involve the Kuala Betis – Pos Balar and Pos Belatim – Kuala Betis – Pos Bihai areas in Gua Musang.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the money will come from existing allocations already approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister.
“KKDW has no intention to ask for additional allocations but if insufficient, I will personally see the prime minister to ask for more.
“Not for me but for the welfare of Orang Asli, especially on matters of rural communication,” he said when speaking at the Kelantan state-level Sentuhan Kasih Desa programme at Dataran Kesedar Paloh 2, earlier today.
The programme was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Ahmad Zahid reiterated that KKDW and agencies under it were committed to ensuring that aid for the development of targeted groups like the Orang Asli would produce the desired results.
He also asked the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) to implement changes and more development projects in the rural areas now that it has a new chairman.
“I am certain that the new Kesedar chairman, Cikgu Awi (Datuk Zawawi Othman), has conducted engagements with his general manager and Kesedar staff,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid believes Cikgu Awi is capable of bringing Kesedar to greater heights, as he had planned many changes after just three months.
— Bernama
