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KUALA LUMPUR – Urban to rural migration has been increasing over the past decade, but this has not translated into higher incomes or wealth creation for rural residents, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
For every RM100 that urban residents earn, those living and working in rural areas can only earn as much as RM58, said Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister.
Along with this, the median income of a rural household is RM3,828 compared to RM6,561 in urban areas, according to the latest data from 2019, he noted in a Facebook post to explain his ministry’s agenda.
“The same year 2019 also recorded a high poverty rate in rural areas of 12.4%, compared to Malaysia’s overall poverty rate, which is 5.6%,” Zahid added.
He said the data for 2020 could show worse figures due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The rate of urban to rural migration, however, has been increasing in recent years, Zahid noted. In 2020, the rate was 18.1% compared to 3% in the reverse.
“While this is encouraging because it means people can bring more experience, skills and economic activity from urban to rural areas, it has not appeared to increase economic wealth and opportunities in rural areas.
“The gap continues to grow year after year. This is becoming critical and cannot be left unattended,” he said, calling for drastic measures to prevent rural areas being left behind.
Zahid said this would be among his priorities as minister in charge of rural and regional development, which he said was not merely about urbanising rural places.
“It is about how rural areas can achieve levels of progress in line with standards set by the United Nations, a process of modernising thinking and economic management in line with current needs.
“It is not based on building tall skyscrapers, mega buildings, multi-level highways or crowded residential areas.”
Zahid, who is Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, was made deputy prime minister and given the rural and regional development portfolio to recognise BN support for the Pakatan Harapan-led unity government following the 15th general election. – The Vibes, December 13, 2022