Ahmad Zahid has initiated several programmes via KKDW to uplift the lives of over eight million rural Malaysians. – BERNAMA
IT has been two years since the establishment of the Madani government and during this period, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has emerged as a transformative figure in Malaysian governance.
Serving as the Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister since December 2022, Ahmad Zahid has diligently focused on impactful initiatives that are reshaping rural Malaysia.
Championing TVET
People on the street, more often than not, will highlight Ahmad Zahid’s relentless advocacy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
As the National TVET Council chairman who oversees more than 26 national-level committees, he has successfully elevated TVET as a national priority.
Under his leadership, the council launched the UP_TVET system, a centralised platform that simplifies access to TVET programmes. The effectivenes of these programmes in meeting industry demands have contributed to an impressive employability rate of 94.5% among graduates.
This year, the TVET Tahfiz Programme, which integrates Quranic memorisation with vocational training, exceeded its target by training 1,366 students – an achievement that reflects his commitment to combining skills development with Islamic values.
“His focus on TVET has been a game-changer,” said a senior government officer. “He not only pushes for excellence but ensures that programmes have measurable outcomes that truly impact the rakyat.”
Revolutionising rural infrastructure
Rural Malaysia has historically been synonymous with underdevelopment, a challenge Ahmad Zahid has been tackling head-on. In his two years at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), significant milestones in infrastructure development have been achieved.
Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera (PPRS) saw the construction of 1,200 new homes and repairs of over 5,600 existing homes of the B40 group, directly improving living conditions for thousands of the targeted population.
Another significant initiative Program Ameniti Sosial implemented 522 projects, exceeding initial targets and directly benefiting rural communities by improving access to essential amenities like roads, bridges, and public facilities.
The provision of basic utilities has also taken centre stage, with over 1,200 homes receiving electricity and more than 4,700 homes connected to clean water supply – benefiting nearly 30,000 rural Malaysians.
“Rural development is not just about roads and electricity. Our goal is to make rural areas viable and vibrant places where people can thrive without the need to migrate to cities,” Ahmad Zahid remarked in one of his speeches.
Equipping rural areas with proper infrastructure has been one of Ahmad Zahid’s main goals since taking the helm of KKDW in 2023.— RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Narrowing the urban-rural gap
This month marks two years since Ahmad Zahid took the helm at KKDW, a ministry tasked with narrowing the socioeconomic divide between urban and rural communities. With 8.1 million rural Malaysians needing support, this has been no easy feat.
Ahmad Zahid has approached this challenge with a focus on holistic rural development. This means not only building infrastructure but also creating economic and educational opportunities that make rural areas viable places for young people to thrive.
With urban challenges like high living costs and social pressures – rural areas are becoming an appealing alternative, provided they have proper infrastructure and strategic development.
One of the ministry’s standout programmes, the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Programme, has strengthened Islamic values among children, aiming to produce over 140,000 young huffaz by 2026.
Meanwhile, Felcra’s paddy estate development ensures food security while empowering rural farmers.
Growing the Halal economy
Ahmad Zahid’s leadership in advancing the halal economy has firmly positioned Malaysia as a global leader in this sector.
By collaborating with key agencies such as the Halal Development Corporation (HDC), Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), alongside the initiatives spearheaded by his ministry, he has successfully attracted billions of ringgit in economic gains. These efforts have not only bolstered the nation’s economic growth but also significantly enhanced Malaysia’s credibility and reputation on the international stage. One of the most notable initiatives is the Mara Gate to Global (GTG) programme, which empowers local entrepreneurs to access international markets.
By equipping rural businesses with the tools and knowledge to expand globally, this programme has created sustainable economic opportunities for rural Malaysians.
“His efforts in the halal sector are not just about economic gains,” noted a Mara representative. “They’re about building Malaysia’s reputation as a leader in ethical, high-quality products and services.”
Addressing natural disasters
Ahmad Zahid’s leadership during natural disasters, particularly flood crises, has garnered widespread acclaim for its effectiveness and efficiency. By coordinating efforts at the national level while ensuring seamless execution on the ground, he has established a high benchmark for crisis management. His swift mobilisation of resources and decisive actions have earned praise.
“He doesn’t just give orders; he’s actively involved in ensuring everything is executed properly,” noted a volunteer when asked about his leadership.
“His hands-on approach has been instrumental in earning the trust and confidence of the people during these challenging times.”
A visionary leader
Ahmad Zahid’s leadership at KKDW has been defined by meticulous planning and execution. Each year begins with a keynote address where he sets clear priorities.
This is followed by a Ministry retreat, involving top stakeholders to outline programmes and activities with a focus on game-changing initiatives and quick wins.
He then tasked the Ministry to conduct a mid-term review to ensure these plans stay on track, reflecting his emphasis on accountability.
This year, he introduced the concept of ‘Profit Centre Thinking’ to agency-owned companies under KKDW – a shift that has led to extraordinary achievements.
Many agencies have reported significant profits, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.
Strengthening rural development
To address the persistent challenges in rural areas, Ahmad Zahid has introduced several key imperatives for the ministry: Skills and Knowledge (K), Effectiveness and Efficiency (K), Data and Digital (D), and the Wow-Factor (W). These pillars aim to elevate KKDW’s role and create a lasting impact.
This year alone, KKDW has achieved remarkable progress across education, the economy, and infrastructure development. In education, the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Programme enabled over 54,000 children to memorise more than 10 surahs, nearing its goal of 62,175 participants.
Additionally, Orang Asli students demonstrated outstanding academic success, with 104 excelling in SPM and 37 achieving impressive results in their Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).
On the economic front, the TVET Technoprenuer Programme trained 1,486 graduates, achieving 135% of its target, and the Digitalisation of Rural Entrepreneurs Programme supported 1,224 entrepreneurs in adopting e-commerce platforms.
In terms of infrastructure, the Felcra Jayaputra Biogas Project was recognised as Malaysia’s largest biogas plant, demonstrating KKDW’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for rural Malaysians.
A legacy in the making
Ahmad Zahid has shown that leadership is about action, not titles. His focus on education, economy, and infrastructure has brought tangible improvements to the lives of millions.
“It has been two years full of unceasing activities,” said a senior KKDW official.
“His energy, vision, and focus on outcomes have transformed the ministry and inspired everyone to work harder for the rakyat.”Under Ahmad Zahid’s leadership, rural Malaysia is no longer just a vision – it is a reality in progress. His balanced approach to governance, blending Islamic values with modern development, is setting a new benchmark for leadership in Malaysia.
“I want no rural area left behind,” Ahmad Zahid has emphasised time and again.
As he continues to manage KKDW and fulfill his responsibilities as Deputy Prime Minister, it is clear that his focus remains unwavering: to uplift rural Malaysia and bridge the socioeconomic divide for a better, more inclusive future.
