KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Initiatives implemented under the Improving Rural Development — National Key Result Areas (NKRA) benefited the lives of over 6.2 million Malaysians living in rural areas from 2010 until 2016, according to the National Transformation Programme (NTP) Annual Report 2016.

Besides narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas, they were aimed at increasing access of rural folk to services such as education and healthcare as well as connectivity to the nearest towns to enable their participation in commercial and economic activities.

The report launched yesterday said that from 2010 to 2016, the government delivered 6,041.7km in new rural roads and provided maintenance for 2,378.5km of roads.

During the period, 350,094 houses gained access to clean water while another 153,821 now enjoyed power supply. In addition, 94,604 houses were built or restored for the rural poor.

The report noted that in 2016 alone, 3,233 new houses were built and 8,900 houses were repaired for the rural poor.

Under the 21st Century Village Programme, the Rural Business Challenge (RBC) was implemented to encourage entrepreneurship among rural youth.

"Since 2010, 85 per cent of RBC winners have achieved an increase income by more than 30 per cent. For 2016 alone, the initiative recorded increased income among 19 of the 23 winners of RBC 2014, with the winners increasing their income by 30 per cent,” said the report. — Bernama