PAGOH, April 25 – The government has always been fair and impartial in its policies and has never marginalized the rural community, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He said many projects had been implemented in rural areas such as schools, mosques, drainage systems and roads.
“This is to ensure that the rural community is treated fairly. Apart from implementing mega projects costing billions of ringgit, the government is also striving to improve the standard of living of the people in rural areas,” he said when opening a community hall costing RM400,000 in Kampung Paya Panjang here today.
Muhyiddin, who is accompanied by his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, said the rural community should not be envious of rapid development in urban areas, and demanded villages to be turned into cities for they could end up with high cost of living.
He said even urban dwellers were keen to live in villages to offset the high cost of living and traffic congestion in the cities and this could be attested in developed countries.
“Those who choose to live in rural areas can do gardening and live in a clean and pollution-free environment. They live a more prosperous and better life. Their life expectancy is higher while the cost of living is lower,” he said.
Earlier, when opening Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Aik Ming here, Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, reiterated the government’s commitment to retain vernacular schools in the country’s education system.
“Vernacular schools are still relevant. Mandarin has become one of the languages acknowledged at the international level. Through SJKC, children can learn Mandarin apart from the national language which is the language of unity,” he said. He said those who mastered many languages would have the edge over others.
BERNAMA
