BETONG: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) is committed to fully completing all projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in Sarawak before the start of the next five-year national development plan.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said this will be done before the federal government identifies new projects for inclusion in the 13MP.
"As I've mentioned before, priority should be given to roads connecting towns to the Pan Borneo Highway, as we aim to expand development into rural areas," he told newsmen after attending a gathering with locals at the Enteri Lengkoi longhouse in Samu Ulu Paku, Spaoh, near here today.
He said certain 'missing links' need to be addressed by building roads to connect rural areas, which would greatly benefit local communities, adding that the federal government was committed to fostering balanced and continuous development across all regions in Malaysia.
The key, he added, lies in cooperation between the federal and state governments to sustain development.
"This cooperation is not just confined to official engagements, but also extends to personal networking, which plays a significant role in achieving regional development and balanced progress," he said. -- Bernama