KUALA LUMPUR: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry aims to turn Bagan Datuk into a key development hub in Perak, including a maritime centre, that will create more job opportunities for youths.
Ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar, said the Kampung Angkat Madani initiative in Kampung Sungai Betul, Bagan Datuk, which is located near a river estuary, positions the village to be part of this broader development plan.
He said the village was chosen as a Kampung Angkat Madani due to its low coverage of basic amenities, which currently remains below 50 per cent.
“The selection also aligns with the village’s rich agricultural heritage, particularly in coconut cultivation, fisheries and marine produce, as well as its strong community spirit — reflected through active gotong-royong practices and close-knit social ties among residents,” Muhd Khair said in a recent interview.
He added that many villagers still lack access to clean water, stable electricity supply, adequate street lighting and proper village road networks.
These shortcomings, he said, disrupt daily activities, hinder access to education and healthcare and raise safety concerns.
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Muhd Khair said some families within the B40 income group still live in dilapidated and unsafe homes, which affects their well-being, health and security.
Public amenities such as the community hall, small bridges and connecting farm and village roads are also in poor condition and require urgent upgrades.
To address these issues, he said the ministry has fully utilised the RM2.5 million allocation to implement various development initiatives in Kampung Sungai Betul, covering infrastructure, public amenities and community programmes.
“From the physical development aspect, the projects include upgrading village roads, constructing and improving the community hall, repairing bridges, installing fences around tourism sites and repairing homes for B40 residents.
“These efforts aim to enhance residents’ well-being and improve their standard of living.
“In terms of human capital development, several initiatives have also been carried out, such as skills training in pastry-making, motorcycle maintenance and entrepreneurship, alongside youth programmes like village beautification activities and mural painting projects in schools,” he said.
Muhd Khair added that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes had also been introduced to encourage youths to remain in the village and contribute to its development.
“However, if there are no job opportunities, they have no choice but to move to the city.
“So, we are planning to make Bagan Datuk a development hub in Perak — among others, by turning it into a maritime centre that will open up job and economic opportunities for youths in the area, including those in Kampung Sungai Betul.”
He said the success of these initiatives has positioned Kampung Sungai Betul as a model of balanced development that integrates infrastructure progress with holistic community empowerment.
This achievement has been made possible through collaborations with universities such as Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Universiti Teknologi Mara, which have contributed through community development, education and innovation.
Government agencies such as Risda, Felcra and the District Office have also served as strategic partners in advancing the village’s transformation agenda.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
