BAGAN DATUK: The government has taken the initiative to implement reverse urbanisation in rural areas as part of the transformation to improve people’s livelihoods, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The deputy prime minister said this was in line with the government’s objective of 70 per cent of people in the country residing in urban areas by 2050.
“The government always hears people’s voices, especially those staying in rural areas. In those days, these people (those in rural areas) were always forgotten. We were giving more attention to urban areas but they (those who stay in urban areas) are not supporting the government. ”
He said the government has realised the support of rural people. While urbanisation brings rural people to the cities, reverse urbanisation will help ensure rural areas are developed too.
Zahid said this in his speech during the launch of the road upgrading project for the FT069 route from Simpang Empat-Hutan Melintang and elevated interchange routes in Simpang Empat at the Umno Complex here today.
The first phase of the project costs RM104 million, measuring five-kilometre routes from Simpang Empat to Parit 19 with four carriageways expected to be completed by May 2, 2021.
The scope of the project includes land acquisition, undertaking utility transfer works, land repairs, constructing two bridges, electrical works and installing road accessories.
Also present were State Public Utilities, Infrastructure, Energy and Water Committee chairman, Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin, State Human Resources, Youth and Sports Committee chairman, Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya and Works Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Seri Zohari Akob.
Zahid said the road upgrading works from two to four carriageways in the Bagan Datuk district was part of reverse urbanisation and the project was similar to the construction of the Pan Borneo highway in Sabah and Sarawak as part of the move to connect people.
Zahid added that development efforts such as the construction of higher education institutions, commercial lot projects and better infrastructure in rural areas should not be taken lightly.
He said the Hilir Perak district and Bagan Datuk routes were alternative routes for people from north to south or vice-versa especially during the festive season and the current road could no longer accommodate the high number of vehicles during that time.
As such, once the West Coast Expressway (WCE) project, which also involves the Bagan Datuk district has been completed, it would provide an alternative to avoid congestion and also help spur the economy there.
