DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants the rural concept to have a more dynamic meaning, in accordance with changing times and developments.

In his capacity as minister of rural and regional development, he said this new meaning would determine the rural development process for the future.

At the ministry level, he said the commitment to deliver rural progress is driven by four main imperatives: data and digital; economy, social and character; and access and environment, adding that each one of them had its own representation to be shared over time.

“Of course, I would need feedback from rural and non-rural communities for this purpose. It is very important for the majority of us who are from rural areas to increase our participation in rural development ideas.

“It is here that we have to unite, forge co-operation, forget political ideologies to develop the country together,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Zahid said the concept of the traditional village as an area with negative connotations should be eroded in accordance with the changing times.

Within the context of the ministry itself, he said this was an opportunity throughout the government’s term to ensure that rejuvenation and social engineering will be abundant and enjoyed by the rural community as best as possible.

“This social engineering requires the government, institutions, and even political parties to play an important role in restoring society’s attitudes and practices by bringing a more progressive development agenda,” he said. – Bernama, December 17, 2022.