The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) is making strides to enhance the well-being of rural residents through the implementation of five Mobile Rural Community Centre (PKD) programmes this year. Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang shared that the decision to expand the PKD Mobile programme was based on the positive response received from local communities during programmes held in Grik, Perak; Nabawan, Sabah; and Kota Samarahan, Sarawak last year.
Two out of the five PKD Mobile programmes have already been conducted this year, with one taking place in the Federal Territory of Labuan on March 9 and another in Kuala Tahan, Pahang. The remaining three programmes are scheduled to be held in the Borneo Zone, the Central Zone, and the Southern Zone. Rubiah emphasized that the PKD Mobile programme aims to reach areas without access to PKD services, providing rural communities with direct interaction and access to existing services that may be located far from urban areas.
The introduction of the PKD Mobile programme is part of KKDW’s ‚quick wins‘ initiatives to extend existing PKD services, including government and private sector services, to selected rural areas through mobile counters. This programme also serves as a platform to identify rural entrepreneurs with marketable products that can be sold online through the ministry’s platform – Desamall – thereby enhancing their socioeconomic status.
Funded under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), the PKD Mobile programme has a budget of RM4 million this year. This budget is in addition to various programmes planned for physical PKDs nationwide. Rubiah highlighted the importance of PKDs in improving the living standards and well-being of rural communities by providing training and activities for capacity building and entrepreneurial development.
Currently, there are 191 physical PKDs across the country, including in Sabah and Sarawak, with 20 located in Pahang alone. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing the living standards of the rural community. From 2021 up to April 30 this year, PKDs have successfully implemented 19,736 empowerment programmes, including courses, training, and community activities. A total of 565,531 individuals have participated in or benefited from these programmes, indicating a strong response from the community.
In conclusion, the expansion of the PKD Mobile programme by KKDW is a significant step towards improving the well-being of rural residents. By providing access to essential services and opportunities for entrepreneurial development, these initiatives are instrumental in uplifting rural communities and enhancing their quality of life.