By Hazimah Sukri
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 October 2021: The government will give special focus to Sarawak, Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis in its efforts to boost socio-economic development in these states.
Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at least 50 percent of the overall federal basic development allocated in the 12th Malaysia Plan will be distributed to these six states.
This will cover the provisions of basic infrastructure, digitalisation, education, healthcare services and economic development.
Dato’ Sri Ismail said this in his speech on Saturday (23 October) night to mark the launching of ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak.
The Prime Minister said the idea of “Keluarga Malaysia”, the brainchild of current government, was not a rhetoric or a mere slogan but a rousing call by the government to uphold the interest and well being of the people, similar to the values of caring for a family.
He gave an example of a family with a child who is lagging in the education and deserve extra attention, a situation similar to his administration’s effort to assist certain states that are falling behind in development.
“The same goes with the government’s administration today, members of Keluarga Malaysia like those in the Bottom 40 and Middle 40 who are affected by COVID-19 pandemic, will consistently be the focus for government assistance.”
He hoped that state governments would support the various “Keluarga Malaysia” programmes and initiatives such as Rumah Ikram Keluarga Malaysia and Pakej Peranti Keluarga Malaysia, aimed at lifting peoples’ economic burden. ***
Source: New Straits Times