Zahid observes Muhammad Zulkifli Abdullah renewing his passport at the Immigration counter at Terengganu RTC. — Bernama photo
DUNGUN: The 10 Rural Transformation Centres (RTCs) in the country is proof that the government has not marginalised rural communities, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the government always strived to strike a balance between development and service to the people, in both urban and rural areas.
“The rural areas are the centre of people’s power…whereby the rural people are the main supporters of the government of the day, this means the government will not forget the rural people.
“This means the RTC is also part of efforts to urbanise rural areas,” he said when launching the Terengganu RTC at Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah here yesterday.
Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
The Terengganu RTC building which consists of two blocks, began operating on September 1, 2014. Among the government departments and agencies that provide services there are the Immigration Department, Department of Veterinary Services, Entrepreneur Development Foundation, and the National Registration Department.
Ahmad Zahid said the establishment of RTCs through the National Blue Ocean Strategy took into account what was required of the people at the grassroots-level.
He said the RTC not only brought physical development, but also opened the minds of the rural community, especially on the concept of a one-stop centre to provide a range of services.
Thus, he said, the people should evaluate the development and the services provided by the government to facilitate their daily activities and improve their quality of life.
“There is no meaning if we have physical development, but there is no sense of appreciation among those who receive aid or contributions from the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the Terengganu RTC was distinct from other RTCs as it featured a haemodialysis and a rehabilitation centre run by the State Health Department.
He said it was a much needed service for the rural people, who previously had to resort to travelling to the larger towns for the same. — Bernama