MADANI Govt Not Marginalising Sabah, State Receves Highest Rural Allocation - Ahmad Zahid

KINABATANGAN, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The highest rural development allocation to Sabah under Budget 2026 proves the commitment of the MADANI Government to continue giving priority to the development and well-being of rural communities in the state.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the allocation covers various initiatives for rural development including education, skills training, basic infrastructure as well as the socio-economic empowerment of the communities in the interior.

He stressed that the focus is in line with the responsibility of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) which he leads in ensuring more balanced development, especially for interior areas which previously faced constraints in access to basic facilities and economic opportunities.

“I will coordinate with Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang together with Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin and Kuamut State Assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah,” he said here today.

He said this when speaking at the Sentuhan Kasih Desa@Kuamut Program at Dataran Tongod, which was also attended by Jafry and Masiung.

Under the Budget 2026 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Dewan Rakyat on Oct 10 last year, Sabah received a development allocation of RM6.9 billion.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also assured that rural education facilities, especially classes under the control of the Community Development Department (KEMAS) in the Kuamut and Tongod areas, would continue to be given attention to ensure that existing infrastructure was improved.

In addition, he said the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes were also among the main focuses of KKDW to provide more opportunities for rural youth to improve their skills and marketability in the employment sector.

"The implementation of various initiatives under the ministry will be coordinated with state leadership and relevant agencies to ensure that each allocation can be effectively utilised by the people," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said KKDW would use the latest technology in providing water and electricity supply facilities in rural and interior areas of Sabah, including in Kinabatangan.

He said the move was taken due to the difficulties encountered by the national grid as well as the high cost of connection due to the geographical factors and vastness of Sabah.

"Therefore, we are using mini-hydro and several other approaches including solar to provide electricity in the area. Similarly, the Rural Water Supply programme for water supply.

"As for roads, when the Pan Borneo Highway is completed, (the construction of) road connections to small towns and rural areas will continue as we did for Sarawak," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Santuni Rakyat Programme organised by the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA), the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and MARA at Dataran Kinabatangan, here.

Ahmad Zahid said KKDW would also continue to strengthen cooperation with the Sabah state government to ensure that rural development projects in the state could be implemented comprehensively for the benefit of the people.

-- BERNAMA