KUALA LUMPUR – The government has allocated RM1.63 billion to address the infrastructure needs of rural areas and to bridge the regional divide.
Tabling Budget 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the allocation will be used to improve the road infrastructure in rural areas and will be directed towards the construction and repair of roads in various villages, from Bachok in Kelantan to Tambun Tulang in Perlis, extending all the way to Chuah, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan.
A further RM939 million has been set aside to provide clean water to 5,150 households and electricity to 2,200 households.
The initiative aims to improve the living conditions and quality of life in these underserved communities, he said.
A further RM134 million is designated for the installation of 60,000 roadside lamps and the maintenance of 500,000 lamps in rural areas. This investment aims to enhance safety and security for residents in these regions.
Among the 115 projects receiving budget allocations, 54 projects are focused on upgrading existing bridges and constructing new ones, with an allocation of RM57 million. These infrastructure improvements will facilitate better connectivity and transportation in rural areas.
Anwar also announced an additional RM100 million for the upgrading, construction, and maintenance of essential community facilities such as halls, community centres, squares, and roofed paths in rural and village areas as part of social amenity programmes. – October 13, 2023