Community-level Development Must Be Prioritised In State Agenda, Says Pahang MB

KUANTAN, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Community-level development must be made a priority in the state's development agenda to ensure that economic progress and the provision of basic infrastructure meet the needs of all segments of society.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said this approach is crucial to ensure that low-income groups and rural residents are not left behind by the current of development, while also enjoying the benefits of the state's economic growth.

He said that state-level development data must be evaluated alongside the actual conditions in each district and community to identify service gaps and residents' needs so they can be addressed through appropriate follow-up actions.

“The priority of state development is to strengthen basic infrastructure, enhance workforce skills, and ensure service delivery reaches the target groups,” he said in his speech text at the launching ceremony of the East Region Targeted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Programme 2026 at The EAST Paya Besar, here, today.

His speech text was read by Pahang State Works, Transport, and Health Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Razali Kassim. Also present was Deputy Minister of Economy sekaligus Member of Parliament for Paya Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Shahar Abdullah.

Wan Rosdy said the preparation of the SDG Roadmap and Voluntary Local Review (VLR) by the Kuantan City Council together with Urbanice Malaysia can serve as an important input in identifying service gaps and determining areas that require attention.

He noted that based on the 2024 SDG Indicator Report, electricity supply access in Pahang reached 100 percent, Internet usage stood at 97.3 percent, while access to safely managed drinking water services was at 98 percent.

“Economic growth must be translated into job opportunities, increased income, and broader business space for the community,” he said.

In this regard, he hopes that cooperation between the state government, the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), educational institutions, and entrepreneur development agencies will continue to ensure that the implementation of the SDG agenda delivers tangible benefits to the public.

This cooperation includes expanding access to training, services, and income-generating opportunities to improve the well-being of the residents.

--BERNAMA