Malaysia pushes for leadership role in Asean rural development, proposes innovation council

Malaysia’s support for 55,400 rural entrepreneurs, particularly through digitalisation to widen market access, continues to strengthen rural economies.

12 Dec 2025 05:45pm

A key announcement in Bangkok was Malaysia’s proposal to establish the ASEAN Rural Development & Innovation Council (ARDIC), envisioned as a permanent platform to coordinate policies, share technology and strengthen collective rural development across all 11 ASEAN countries.

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia has asserted its ambition to steer Asean’s rural development direction, as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi presented the country’s achievements and regional proposals at the 14th Asean Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) in Bangkok.

In his statement, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Malaysia’s focus on inclusive and resilient rural development driven by innovation, community participation, digitalisation and the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi presented the country’s achievements and regional proposals at the 14th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) in Bangkok.

"These elements remained key to enhancing inclusive and resilient rural development, grounded in innovation, community engagement, digitalisation and the expansion of TVET as key drivers of public well-being and poverty eradication," he stated.

National Progress and Investment

Outlining Malaysia’s progress, Zahid detailed substantial ongoing investments:

RM2.3 billion for rural roads
RM195.2 million for clean water supply
RM162.9 million for reliable electricity
RM364.45 million under the PPRS housing programme, which has helped over 10,000 families

He added that Malaysia’s support for 55,400 rural entrepreneurs, particularly through digitalisation to widen market access, continues to strengthen rural economies.

He also highlighted the Desa Kirana initiative featuring 25 agro and ecotourism sites ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Outlining Malaysia’s progress, he detailed substantial ongoing investments, including RM2.3 billion for rural roads, RM195.2 million for clean water supply, RM162.9 million for reliable electricity and RM364.45 million under the PPRS housing programme, which has helped over 10,000 families.

Zahid stated that these combined efforts had contributed to Malaysia’s hardcore poverty rate dropping significantly to 0.09 per cent under the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2024, showing that the nation’s rural development strategies are on the right path.

A key announcement in Bangkok was Malaysia’s proposal to establish the Asean Rural Development & Innovation Council (ARDIC).

This council is envisioned as a permanent platform to coordinate policies, share technology, and strengthen collective rural development across all 11 Asean countries.

In line with a United Nations declaration, Malaysia will also introduce Rural Development Day next year to highlight rural contributions towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting additionally honoured Malaysian organisations Energy Action Partners (ENACT) and GE Nitrate Solutions with the Asean Leadership Award for their contributions to poverty eradication.

Zahid added that the ministry would continue to champion rural interests within Asean, stressing the commitment to ensure rural communities remain the main beneficiaries of regional development leading up to Asean 2045.