Ministry's new village blueprint aiming to revive communities, economies

The Star

06-07-2025

A FRESH 10-year New Village Development Master Blueprint for Malaysia, succeeding the previous plan, is in the process of being drafted.
Instead of private consultants, Housing and Local Government Ministry is looking at local expertise in academia and universities to shape the roadmap.
Malaysian Chinese New Village Secretariat chairman Khoo Poay Tiong said the blueprint would be more inclusive, academically driven, and community-focused.
'Our academics have meticulously studied these villages and we should leverage on their expertise.
'Minister Nga Kor Ming has set four key directions for the blueprint – infrastructure development, 'One Village, One Product' initiative, new village beautification, and boosting tourism within these communities,' he said in an exclusive interview with StarMetro.
Khoo said improving basic infrastructure was crucial to attracting young people to remain in new villages.
'The government will prioritise upgrading roads, drainage systems, street lighting, community halls and digital connectivity to support a comfortable and connected lifestyle,' Khoo said.
'The ministry is allocating RM100mil annually for development across 613 new villages nationwide. RM120mil was disbursed last year with potentially more for this year.'
Recognising new villagers' rich cultural and economic potential, the blueprint will also push for the 'One Village, One Product' initiative, encouraging villagers to promote local offerings either local food, crafts or exclusive attractions.
'From Sekinchan's seafood and padi-based products to Perak's charcoal, many villages possess unique items and the government plans to aid in their promotion.
'Such initiatives are expected to attract tourists, create job opportunities, boost local economies and entice youths to return,' he said.
'Complementing this is the focus on new village beautification, ensuring communities are clean and well-maintained, thus fostering a conducive environment for long-term residency.'
Khoo said through the Chinese New Village Bureau (BKBC), a competition called New Village Good Product was held under the One Village, One Product initiative.
This provided successful participants with training in marketing and product packaging.
'Some winners have seen a 30% increase in sales after the competition's exposure, building their confidence to promote their products overseas.'
The second competition, the New Village Beautification Competition, Khoo said encouraged villagers to adopt green concepts.
'Judges conduct unannounced evaluations to ensure villages maintain cleanliness,' he said, adding that both competitions were divided into north and south of the peninsula.
He said the blueprint was geared towards positioning new villages as tourism destinations.
'New villages are rich in history, culture and nature, such as those in Johor, which can become attractive weekend getaways for locals and Singaporeans.
'These villages offer authentic experiences of traditional rural life, fresh food and eco-tourism activities like organic farming and fishing trips,' he said.
Beyond macro-level development, the ministry has also introduced micro-level support for vulnerable groups within new village communities.
'This includes home repair grants of up to RM70,000 for B40 families and single mothers,' he said.
'Furthermore, a collaboration with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) provides access to micro personal loans at just 2.5% interest per annum.
'These loans, ranging from RM50,000 for first-time borrowers to RM100,000 for subsequent ones, are helping villagers expand small businesses and renovate homes.
'Last year, over RM10mil in loans were disbursed from a RM140mil allocation, benefitting more than 200 borrowers.'
Although depopulation still exists in certain remote villages, there is a growing trend of people returning to new villages.
'Leveraging the existing ecosystem of new villages, some have ventured into eco-farming, while others manage homestays,' he said.
Regarding applications for Unesco heritage recognition, Khoo said the ministry was exploring such possibility.
'The ministry's role is to prepare the environment and infrastructure for young adults to return and revitalise local businesses, and boost local tourism.
'The historical and unique origins of new villages form part of our national heritage.
'Any village meeting the criteria for Unesco heritage recognition can apply.
'Who knows, they could transform into heritage towns, just like what happened with Melaka and George Town.' – By JAROD LIM