PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia., July 1, 2025 — Over the past 940 days, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), led by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has made significant strides in empowering rural communities, backed by a dedicated team and transformative initiatives.
This year alone, nearly RM12 billion has been allocated for rural development, with RM3.37 billion already mobilized to enhance the well-being of Malaysians. In education, a remarkable 1,670 MRSM students achieved straight A’s in SPM 2024, a sharp increase from 1,131 the previous year.
The ministry launched Desa Kirana, a rural tourism initiative set to boost local economies ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Additionally, the long-awaited draft amendments to Act 134, aimed at strengthening Orang Asli land rights, are in their final stages and expected to be finalized by September 2025, with tabling in Parliament scheduled for March 2026.Further milestones include the establishment of the High-Level Committee for Rural Development (HLC), the Mega 3D Carnival, and Malaysia’s leadership in accrediting TVET industries across ASEAN. These efforts underscore KKDW’s commitment to high-impact, regionally-focused progress.
“True transformation begins in the villages,” said Ahmad Zahid. “With a passionate and forward-thinking team, we are creating lasting success. Insya-Allah.”