KUALA LUMPUR — The government is looking to strengthen cooperation between Rural Community Centres (PKD) and National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI) to expand access to community services and development programmes while reducing duplication between agencies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today attended the opening of the PKD-NADI Strategic Collaboration Workshop, which focuses on improving coordination between the two community-based networks.
The two-day workshop, organised through NADI, brings together representatives from the Communications Ministry, Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Public Service Department (JPA), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and other relevant agencies.
Discussions will focus on developing a more effective collaboration model, including the sharing of facilities, coordination of community programmes and strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level.
The initiative is part of the government’s whole-of-government approach aimed at optimising existing resources, avoiding duplication and improving public access to services and development programmes.
Various issues, challenges and proposals will be examined during the workshop, with its findings expected to provide input for both ministries in refining the implementation framework and determining follow-up measures.
There are currently 1,099 NADI centres under the Communications Ministry and 191 PKD centres under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry nationwide.
Both networks play an important role in community development and empowerment, particularly in rural areas.
NADI currently has more than two million users and delivers the NADI Smart Services Programme across five key areas — entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, personal well-being, awareness and government initiatives.
Meanwhile, PKD has conducted more than 29,000 programmes over the past five years, benefiting more than 746,000 rural residents.
NADI’s community development model was also recognised at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2025 in the Capacity Building category.
In March 2026, NADI was also recognised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the world’s 16th Digital Transformation Centre (DTC).
The government said the recognition reflected NADI’s effectiveness in community capacity building and digital transformation, while providing a strong foundation for closer collaboration between PKD and NADI..
The partnership is expected to strengthen the delivery of community programmes and ensure existing facilities and resources can be utilised more effectively for the benefit of Malaysians, especially those in rural areas. – September 7, 2026