Najib urges rural communities to think outside conventional means

SERDANG: The rural communities were yesterday urged to think outside conventional means to level the income gap with urbanites.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said rural village development and security committees (JKKK) should embrace modern economy features and be innovative to make business activities in the areas to be more open.
"JKKK leaders should opt for government initiatives such as the MyFarm Outlet to marketise their business," Najib said when officiating the Anugerah Desa Sejahtera 1Malaysia' (ADS1M) awards at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here.
"This is the level of thinking that we want, we don't want leaders who only ask for projects.
"Asking for projects is very easy. In fact this is the usual practice. If a parliamentarian comes, they will ask for projects, when a minister comes, they'll ask for a bigger project, and when the prime minister comes, they'll ask for the biggest project," he said.
The MyFarm Outlet is a direct purchase outlet where dealers would offer prices at five to 20% lower than the market price.
When tabling the recalibration of the 2016 Budget earlier this year, Najib said the launch of MyFarm Outlets nationwide is a platform for consumers to buy daily essentials at cheaper prices while enabling rural business to boost its target market.
Najib also suggested that businesses in rural areas get involved with e-commerce as it would give a bigger marketing platform.
He added the government holds a good track record in providing sustainable living for the people in rural areas.
Currently, there about 7.8 million Malaysians who are living in rural areas.
Najib said the government will continue to champion the rural development agenda as Putrajaya has allocated RM14.18 bil under the 11th Malaysia Plan to develop the facilities, creating a conducive environment, as well as developing an entrepreneurial friendly culture to the people.
ADS1M is an award initiated by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to develop the competitiveness, initiative, education, independence and a disciplined culture among rural communities.
The award is divided into four categories - Traditional Village, Orang Asli Village, Longhouse and Chinese New Village.
Kampung Parit Tengah in Muar, Johor, won the Traditional Village category, and besides cash of RM50,000 was also awarded a project worth RM650,000.
The Orang Asli Village title went to Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong in Sepang, Selangor, which won RM70,000 cash and a project worth RM250,000.
The Longhouse title was won by Rumah Bihai in Mukah, Sarawak which was awarded RM150,000 cash and a project worth RM100,000.
The Chinese New Village title, which carries a RM25,000 cash award and project worth RM500,000, went to Kampung Baru Kangsar Bahru in Batu Pahat, Johor.