Ahmad Zahid Proposes Third-party evaluations For KKDW Initiatives
GEORGE TOWN, Jan 18 (Bernama) — The Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) has been proposed to conduct third-party evaluations to assess the effectiveness of each initiative implemented by the ministry.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who made the suggestion, said this would ensure actions taken by KKDW truly meet the needs and expectations of the people.
“Our approach must always remain relevant, and our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) must be centred on the well-being of the people. That is why I am proposing that we conduct third-party evaluations to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of every initiative we implement.
“Through this, we can ensure that every programme reaches its target groups with maximum impact,” Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said in his speech at the KKDW Retreat 2025 dinner in Teluk Bahang here tonight.
The event was also attended by Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid and Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin.
Ahmad Zahid also urged KKDW to intensify efforts on post-delivery services in every development programme carried out.
Citing the ‘Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera’ housing programme (PPRS), he said the ministry cannot just build houses and leave the recipients without further engagement. Instead, they should return to meet with the recipients and inquire about their level of satisfaction.
Meanwhile, he also outlined five key targets for KKDW this year to increase the effectiveness of its agenda in the eyes of the people by optimising resources and strengthening shared services.
These include continuing to help rural entrepreneurs grow and enhance their potential to penetrate global markets, as well as setting a target for at least 500 Orang Asli children in the country to secure university places, compared to 446 who successfully entered institutions of higher learning in 2024.
“Thirdly, I am very grateful that the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Programme has received an overwhelming response, but we cannot stop here.
“Therefore, I want us to expand our efforts by creating a continuity programme for Pre-Tahfiz post-Tabika nurseries, so that these children can continue their Quran memorisation even after entering primary school,” he said, adding that he had discussed this with the Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek.
Ahmad Zahid said he also hopes to see agencies like FELCRA further empower efforts involving various selected agricultural products to ensure the rural agricultural sector becomes the backbone of the national food security agenda.
He also wants KKDW to develop a comprehensive strategy that coordinates the strengths of various ministries aligned with the goal of advancing rural communities.
Ahmad Zahid also emphasised three main principles of the Rural Transformation Agenda to be strengthened at this retreat, including ensuring the people have sufficient basic needs, ensuring basic facilities continue to be the foundation of people's welfare, and driving holistic socioeconomic development.
At the event tonight, the Deputy Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of a Joint Development Agreement between the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP), Wakaf Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (WPPSB), and Perda Ventures Incorporated Sdn Bhd (PVISB) for a development project on Wakaf land Lot 60, Mukim 11, Bayan Lepas, here.
Ahmad Zahid described the commencement of the Wakaf land development project, with a total value of RM170.1 million, as a high-impact strategic programme that can provide significant benefits to the people, especially in Penang.
In this regard, he expressed his gratitude to Mohamad for the support given to PERDA, especially in realising the development of Wakaf land for the first time in history (through collaboration with PERDA).
— BERNAMA
