New villages throughout the country are in line for a double boost this year, according to a Chinese news report quoting Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting.

Nanyang Siang Pau

reported today that the government would allocate at least RM55 million for new villages by July, in addition to completing its development blueprint for such settlements this year.

"This allocation is separate from funds made available by Kuala Lumpur City Hall and state governments," said Ong, who is also MCA president.

He told reporters yesterday that the funds would be disbursed by district officers and advised village heads to submit applications for use of the money to improve basic infrastructure like bridges, community halls and road maintenance.

Last year, the allocation for new villages was RM54.6 million, drawn from a total of RM200 million spanning the period 2000 to this year.

Planning for progress

The development blueprint will classify the 452 new villages in three categories - backward, under-developed and advanced.

Plans will be drawn up according to these classifications to meet needs on the ground, Ong said.

He said his ministry will follow the blueprint as a basic document to gradually improve the infrastructure and environment in new villages over the long term.

The ministry, he added, would seek the necessary allocations from the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department to carry out the projects.