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Rural ministry ready to take Perda under its wings
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The Rural and Regional Development Ministry is prepared to take back the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) as one of its agencies.

Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry's support was always there if it was more profitable for the bumiputera community in terms of entrepreneurship, enterprise and economic development.

"Originally, Perda was under the ministry, along with regional agencies such as the Central Terengganu Development Authority, Kedah Regional Development Authority, Johor Tenggara Development Authority and South Kelantan Development Authority.

"But Perda was removed from MRRD by then-prime minister Pak Lah (then-PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) to give it special focus," he told reporters after opening the Penang Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Expo at Dataran Transformasi, Tasik Gelugor, today.
    
He said if Perda, which was transferred to the Prime Minister's Department in 2005, was returned to the MRRD, the ministry would not only provide a variety of special programmes but also have special provisions for the agency.
    
"However, the decision to reinstate Perda to the MRRD is still under consideration by the Finance Ministry and the Economic Planning Unit," added Ismail Sabri.

Meanwhile, Perda chairperson Shabudin Yahaya said the agency had submitted an application to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak about two years ago, to request the agency be reinstated under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

"This is not easy, have to go through various processes and will take time (for approval). So far, the response has been good and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and the Prime Minister's Department have no objection," he said.

In another development, Ismail Sabri said the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (Tube) programme implemented since 2014, managed to create 937 new businesses with a combined value of RM17.8 million, in addition to creating about 850 jobs.

"Up to now, grants worth nearly RM630,000 have been utilised by 42 Tube participants to start and conduct various businesses," he said.

- Bernama

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