Desa Lestari Programme Helped Generate RM9.9 Mln Through Tourism Sector In Kinabatangan

KOTA KINABALU, June 24 (Bernama) -- Kampung Batu Puteh in Kinabatangan has successfully generated RM9.9 million through its tourism sector since 2014, a result of the Sustainable Village (Desa Lestari) Program, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development stated that this is a highly commendable impact, with RM12.75 million invested by the government in Sabah through the program, creating 750 job opportunities and benefiting over 5,000 residents.

He said that these investments are part of the government's ongoing efforts to develop rural areas, especially in Sabah, which still require significant improvements.

"However, I acknowledge that, particularly in Sabah, much remains incomplete and far from perfect. A lot needs to be continued and improved. As the Minister leading the ministry that manages villages and regions, I want Sabah to continue to be cared for and to progress," he said.

He made these remarks while officiating the MADANI 2025 Rural Leadership Empowerment Convention here today in the presence of Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

Ahmad Zahid added that the government has also never neglected the state's human capital sector, with the opening of MRSM Ranau last year, which can accommodate 450 rural students, in addition to continued support in entrepreneurship.

According to him, the government has also appointed 2,302 members of the MADANI Village Community Committee (JKDM) in Sabah, with an allocation of RM11 million for Phase 1 of 2025 specifically for allowances and operational activities to serve the people of the state.

"I want JKDM to play its role as a catalyst for change, a facilitator of assistance. If there's a collapsed house, JKDM reports it. If there's a single mother who missed out on assistance—JKDM helps her apply. If young people are unemployed, JKDM finds training or job opportunities," he said.

Ahmad Zahid emphasised that this responsibility is not seasonal work but an all-time trust, thus he does not want JKDM members who only know how to attend events but disappear when in the village.

He also stressed the importance of grassroots leaders, especially JKDM, in addressing the issue of extreme poverty in Sabah, which remains at a worrying level and highlighted the need for unity to build, not division to tear down.

"This is where the strong cooperation between the state and Federal governments is crucial. Not by playing with slogans or fanning narrow sentiments, but by truly creating solutions. What we need today is unity to build, not division to tear down.

"Sabah is not a peripheral state. Sabah is a partner in the Malaysian Federation. This is the spirit agreed upon since the Malaysia Agreement 1963; this is the spirit that resides within me," he said.

--BERNAMA