The unity government is taking proactive steps to address four infrastructure issues in Felda settlements, namely streetlights, rural health clinics, telecommunications, and security checkpoints. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that surveys conducted by independent bodies revealed that the lack of streetlights and health clinics were among the main complaints of the Felda community. At the Felda Day celebrations in July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an annual allocation of RM7.7mil for street lighting operation costs to benefit Felda residents.
“I had also discussed with the Health Minister (Dr Zaliha Mustafa) for Felda settlements to be given priority. We will soon see this when the Prime Minister includes it in Budget 2024. One of the priority projects will be to develop and upgrade rural health clinics in the Felda areas,” Zahid stated. The statement was made during the Sentuhan Kasih Desa @ Simpang Pelangai programme, attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, and Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, expressed that telecommunications was another issue of concern within the Felda community. He mentioned that he had personally requested that most Felda areas be equipped with Starlink satellite devices. In regards to security checkpoints, Zahid entrusted Ahmad Shabery with the matter. Moving forward, Zahid emphasized the need for Mentris Besar, elected representatives, and government agency heads to engage with grassroots communities to understand the issues they face. He stated that the government’s approach now prioritizes hearing the people’s grievances and making informed decisions.
“The ‘government knows all’ era is over, and so has the era in which the government thinks it is right. We must go down to the ground; the people’s grievances must be heard so that more informed decisions can be made for them. That is the government’s approach now,” Zahid concluded. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
