YAN, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) has allocated grants totalling more than RM16.2 million to implement the Desa Lestari Programme (PDL) in the state.
KEDA chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the allocation involves 16 cooperatives in Kedah that have participated in the programme since its introduction in 2013.
He said the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) had appointed KEDA as the implementing agency for PDL, with an allocation of RM15.593 million, while the Human Capital and Community Programme received RM661,192.
“The overall allocation involves 16 cooperatives operating in the tourism, services, livestock and manufacturing sectors,” he told reporters after officiating the handover ceremony of Desa Lestari boats to Koperasi Desa KEDA Sungai Udang Bhd here today.
Also present were KEDA Jerai parliamentary programme and activities adviser Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and KEDA deputy general manager (Operations) Khairul Azmeer Abu Bakar.
Meanwhile, Mahdzir said RM1 million had been allocated to Koperasi Desa KEDA Sungai Udang Bhd to manage and further develop tourism activities in the area.
He said the allocation covered the purchase of an exploration boat and a tourist boat, scuba diving equipment, construction of a storage facility and boat fittings, as well as operating costs related to the tourist boat project.
“I hope the Desa Lestari Programme will help the cooperative manage tourist boat operations more systematically, especially as it has experience in managing such services since 2018.
“KEDA will also monitor the cooperative’s performance in terms of income, job opportunities created and achievement reports to be submitted over a five-year period,” he said.
Mahdzir added that the programme would also help promote Pulau Songsong as a new tourism destination in Kedah, following the appointment of Koperasi Desa KEDA Sungai Udang Bhd as the island’s official operator by the Yan District Council in November last year.
“The boats provided are expected to become a key attraction for visitors to Pulau Songsong, particularly through water-based tourism activities such as scuba diving offered by the cooperative,” he said.
At the same event, Mahdzir also presented land grants to 21 recipients from Desa KEDA Sungai Udang.
-- BERNAMA
