RINA TO BRIDGE RURAL-URBAN GAP

New minister to ensure rural folk enjoy same facilities as urban residents

THE newly-minted Rural Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun aims to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas. Rina said she wanted to ensure those living in rural areas enjoyed facilities like those in urban areas.

“When we talk about rural areas, we always think about villages, Orang Asli, lack of facilities and poor Internet connection. Therefore, we aim to bridge the gap by providing facilities just like in urban areas,” she said at her office in Presint Four here.

“By doing so, those living in rural areas will find that there is no need for them to move to urban areas. We want them to feel that it is okay to live in rural areas as they get to enjoy the same facilities.”

Rina said she aimed to make the ministry beneficial to the people.

“We were elected by the people and now they are waiting for changes from the new government. We will try our best to serve them and meet their needs, as well as ensure that they get to enjoy all the facilities.

“But, it is too early for me to talk about new policies or changes as I was just given a briefing at the ministerial level. After this, I will have briefing sessions with 132 agencies under the ministry.

“I am giving myself a week to draft my blueprint for the ministry,” she said, adding that she was welcomed feedback from the public to improve the ministry’s services. On being named rural development minister, she said she was from the city,

“At first, I questioned it, too. I am member of parliament for Titiwangsa and it seems like I am going to take care of the whole of Malaysia.

“The prime minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) has put his trust in me to helm the ministry, I must believe in myself.

“If other people trust you, then you should trust yourself, too, and prove to them that you can do it.”

On efforts to combat corruption, Rina said she would ensure that stringent distribution, implementation and monitoring would be carried out for projects under the ministry.

Rural Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun clocking in for duty at the ministry’s office in Putrajaua yesterday. With her are ministry secretary-general Datuk Borhan Dolah (centre) and deputy secretary-general (development) Datuk Azizan Mohamad Sidin.