The implementation of the Rural Development’s Hope Plan in the one year of the Pakatan Harapan federal government’s administration has impacted on over 500,000 rural residents despite financial constraints.

Rural Development Minister Rina Harun said the plan, which was formulated for a five-year period from 2018, focuses on six cores, namely, infrastructure, economy, entrepreneurship, human capital, women and delivery system was implemented although the government was facing financial constraints.

‘’We not only focus on infrastructure but also in terms of economy, human capital development, development of new technology and the long term needs (of rural residents),’’ she told a media conference in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the Pakatan Harapan government here today.

Rina said her ministry banked on creative thinking when using the 2019 allocation which was lower compared to 2018 such as implementing the Industrialised Building System (IBS) for the construction of 1,244 units of houses under the Hardcore Housing Project, which resulted in savings of over 18 per cent without affecting quality.

Several programmes, which prior to this were organised separately, were now conducted simultaneously to save costs, and benefiting those involved more.

‘’We want many to be involved so we break up the Rural Entreprenuers Carnival following zones and it is implemented together with the Rural Entrepreneurial Innovation and Technology Expo,’’ she said.

Rina said the Rural Development Policy for a 10-year period which encompassed 10 cores would be launched soon whereby its implementation would be felt by the rural communities.

‘’The 10 cores are economy, entrepreneurship, human capital, infrastructure, youth, women, prosperous rural lives, delivery and governance system, bio-diversity and environment and regional development housing and rural emplacements.

She said the Rural Digital programme would be launched in two months which among others was aimed at ensuring rural residents would benefit from the latest technological development.

‘’We have 5G now, maybe tomorrow or day after we have 6G until 10G but what are their importance to the rural populace?’’ she said, adding that the Rural Digital initiative not only focused on infrastructural development but also training and programmes which were beneficial to the rural populace.

Rina said her ministry was also in the process of identifying a suitable module for garbage management in 15,000 villages in Malaysia.

‘’If in town, the garbage management is carried out by the local authorities. But in villages, most residents will burn their garbage, throw them in the river or dump them illegally which will affect the environment,’’ she said.

Rina said several villages had been identified for the implementation of the village garbage management pioneer project in September.

On the giving of petrol subsidy to the target group especially rural residents, Rina hoped the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry could find a suitable method for those staying in the interior because they bought fuel without using cards.

- Bernama