THE government will allocate RM100 million for the development of villages around the country, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Rina Harun today.

She said the funds will be allocated to states under Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) administration for the time being.

“Those in charge of the village must apply for the grants.

“This funds are for them to develop the economy in their villages,” she said at Putrajaya today.

For opposition-held states, Rina said the government is studying a mechanism to allocate funds and it will be ready in a month’s time.

The Village Development and Security Community (JKKK) has also been rebranded as the Village Community Development Council.

Rina said there are currently 16,000 villages in the country.

Rina said that all villages can apply for the RM10,000 grant.

“The village chairman will get a monthly allowance of RM500, while the secretary will get RM300.

“The villages will also get RM100 for their meetings and attendance fee of RM50.”

She said that it will be up to the respective state governments to choose the village chairman.

Rina also said women must comprise 30% of village chairmen in accordance to PH’s manifesto to empower women.

“They must be able to contribute their energy, ideas, perspective and skills to develop the villages,” the minister said.

Rina added that bureaus under the council have been reduced from 13 to 11 to ensure smoother development.

The council’s bureau include health, safety, finance, education, welfare and innovation. – June 27, 2018.