ALOR STAR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today unveiled the unity government's five primary agendas in propelling Kedah development.
He said the agendas comprised of empowering agricultural businesses (agro-business), tahfiz schools (Islamic religious schools), technical and vocational training (TVET) and resolving water woes as well as improving Internet connectivity Kedah rural areas.
Zahid said although the agendas were not the coalition's manifesto, he stressed that the execution of the agendas would be greatly expedited if the state government is streamlined with the Madani Government in the upcoming state election.
"These are not our (state) election manifesto, but Insyaallah, we aim to wrest the state and prioritise the implementation of programmes outlined by the federal government.
"These include the empowerment of agro-businesses, Tahfiz schools and TVET programmes. It also includes resolving water supply issues and Internet connectivity in the state.
"These long-term plans and measures will be rolled out by the federal government no matter what is the outcome of the upcoming state election. But if we manage to take over the state government administration, these policies can be better executed," he told reporters after opening state-level Unity Convention at Ampang Business Park today.
Present were Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar and state Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development minister (KKDW) said the federal agencies such as Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) and Kedah Regional Development Authority (Keda) would play a significant role in empowering of agro-business and TVET education.
"Mada will explore new methodologies and approaches to improve padi productivity as well as studying measures to guarantee water supply for padi irrigation, particularly during the current dry spell," he said.
On tahfiz schools, Zahid said the federal government was committed to empower the students with TVET training and strengthening their Quranic lessons, while not neglecting vernacular schools.
"Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and other universities under the KKDW are committed to help the tahfiz students not only for diploma studies but up to doctorate level," he said.
Zahid added that currently they were some 9,000 students studying in 1,199 tahfiz schools in Kedah and pledged to assist those schools which are yet to register with the government agency, to do so.
He added that KKDW would also set up a dedicated TVET college under Keda to empower technical training in Kedah.
"The government allocated RM6.8 billion for 1,291 TVET institutions nationwide and it is paramount that Kedah is not being left behind.
"We will empower (TVET) with few enhancement programmes or offer courses and programmes that suit the demand in the job market," he said.
Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, assured Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's commitment to resolve water supply woes in Kedah.
"The same dedication applies in improving telecommunications services for rural areas, including the rolling out of 5G network.
"I have emphasised that the rural areas must not be neglected in the 5G rolling out and I will personally monitor its progress.
"We have already rolled out the 5G network, aiming for 80 per cent coverage in the densely populated areas by the end of the year," he said.