PUTRAJAYA, May 22 — One of the main tasks that the new Rural Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun has set for herself is closing the gap between rural and urban development.

Rina, who began her new job today, said she was determined to change the perception that rural areas were backward and under developed.

"We must remember that in our country, only 30 per cent is urban while the remaining 70 per cent is semi-urban and rural. And infrastructural development is not the only solution for the rural population,” she told reporters at her office today.

Rina,  who is also the Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa, said the ministry would review all projects under it which were still in the planning stage  as well as projects which did not benefit the people.

"We will review (projects in the planning stage) but projects which have been approved will be continued,” she said.

However, Rina said she would only make a decision after meeting all the agencies and companies under the ministry, but stressed that corruption must be tackled for the good of all.

"I believe that our country will develop and society reap the benefits if we really combat corruption,” she said.

Before going into her office today, Rina met the ministry’s top management and was given a short briefing on the major issues at hand.

There are 132 agencies under the ministry, such as the Department of Orang Asli Development and the Social Welfare Department. — Bernama