UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has promised to strengthen the party’s presence in rural areas with his position as rural and regional development minister.

He vowed to bring the rural community together under the government’s development programmes. 

“For the progress of villages and the region, God willing, I will strengthen our foundation in the rural areas. 

“We want the communities in the villages not to be sidelined from enjoying the nation’s progress,” he said during his policy speech at the Umno General Assembly. 

He said Umno is determined to improve the economic, social and cultural well-being of rural communities. 

“Issues of disparity, exploration of economic potential and the improvement of living standards of rural communities will be empowered. 

“That’s my promise to the delegates. That’s also my promise to Malaysians as a whole,” he said. 

In the general election, Umno lost heavily in rural areas that were its long-time strongholds. 

After the November 19 general election, Umno no longer holds parliamentary seats in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, and Malacca. 

Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, reminded all Umno cabinet members of their duties in their respective portfolios. – January 13, 2023.

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