Ministry of Rural and Regional Development faces RM6 billion funding gap

The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) is facing a RM6 billion gap between its requested development allocation and the shadow ceiling provided by the Ministry of Finance. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the ministry has requested approximately RM14.39 billion for the second rolling plan of 2027 under the 13th Malaysia Plan, but the current shadow ceiling is set at around RM8.3 billion.

Zahid noted that this discrepancy reflects the government's challenges in meeting development needs amidst limited financial resources and a tighter fiscal space compared to previous years. He emphasized that the ministry has held coordination sessions with the Ministry of Finance to clarify KKDW's priorities and propose solutions.

In response to the funding gap, Zahid stressed that the ministry must ensure every ringgit allocated generates the maximum possible value and impact for the people, treating the budget as a process of converting limited resources into public value rather than just a distribution of funds.