Latest news with #Ketengah
Malay Mail
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid: Orang Asli land law amendments in final stages, to be tabled in 2026
PUTRAJAYA, July 1 — The drafting of amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134), which involves matters relating to land ownership among the Orang Asli community, is now in its final stages, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. 'Insya-Allah, it will be finalised by September at the latest and tabled in Parliament in March 2026," said Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, during the ministry's monthly assembly here today. In March, Ahmad Zahid said that the proposed amendments aim to improve several key areas affecting the Orang Asli, including land issues, infrastructure, education, housing and economic development. He said the Act is set to be amended for the first time in over 70 years, with several aspects under consideration, particularly concerning land or roaming areas, due to disputes between the Orang Asli community, private landowners and state governments. The last amendment to Act 134 was made in 1967, and the Act was reviewed in 1974. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also called for the expansion of high-impact agricultural initiatives through the Agrotek Wilayah project under the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah). He said the smart farming approach for fertigation chili cultivation has the potential to increase national productivity and income levels. 'So far, 16,000 polybags have been planted across four acres of land by four participants. I believe, with proper guidance and appropriate technology, this project has the potential to produce 96,000 kilogrammes of chili with an estimated annual revenue of RM576,000,' he said. In addition, Ahmad Zahid urged Ketengah to spearhead the transformation of Kenyir Lake tourism through the Desa Kirana initiative and position it as an iconic destination contributing to the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. 'I also want Kolej Ketengah to move beyond borders and work closely with the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) to enhance the expertise of its instructors, especially in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), so that the quality of education and training can be raised to a higher level,' he added. Ketengah, a statutory body under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), has been in operation for 52 years and has spent RM1.7 billion during that time to implement various programmes and projects aimed at regional development and improving community well-being. — Bernama
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Amendments to Aboriginal Peoples Act near completion
PUTRAJAYA: The drafting of amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954, which involves matters relating to land ownership among the Orang Asli community, is now in its final stages, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. "Insya-Allah, it will be finalised by September at the latest and tabled in Parliament in March 2026," said Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, during the ministry's monthly assembly here today. In March, Ahmad Zahid said that the proposed amendments aim to improve several key areas affecting the Orang Asli, including land issues, infrastructure, education, housing and economic development. He said the Act is set to be amended for the first time in over 70 years, with several aspects under consideration, particularly concerning land or roaming areas, due to disputes between the Orang Asli community, private landowners and state governments. The last amendment to the Act was made in 1967, and the Act was reviewed in 1974. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also called for the expansion of high-impact agricultural initiatives through the Agrotek Wilayah project under the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah). He said the smart farming approach for fertigation chili cultivation has the potential to increase national productivity and income levels. "So far, 16,000 polybags have been planted across four acres of land by four participants. "I believe, with proper guidance and appropriate technology, this project has the potential to produce 96,000 kilogrammes of chili with an estimated annual revenue of RM576,000," he said. In addition, Ahmad Zahid urged Ketengah to spearhead the transformation of Kenyir Lake tourism through the Desa Kirana initiative and position it as an iconic destination contributing to the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. "I also want Kolej Ketengah to move beyond borders and work closely with the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to enhance the expertise of its instructors, especially in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), so that the quality of education and training can be raised to a higher level," he added. Ketengah, a statutory body under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, has been in operation for 52 years and has spent RM1.7 billion during that time to implement various programmes and projects aimed at regional development and improving community well-being.– Bernama
The Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Amendments to Aboroginal Peoples Act nearing completion, says Zahid
PUTRAJAYA: The drafting of amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954, which involves matters relating to land ownership among the Orang Asli community, is now in its final stages, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. "Insya-Allah, it will be finalised by September at the latest and tabled in Parliament in March 2026," said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, during the ministry's monthly assembly here Tuesday (July 1). In March, Ahmad Zahid said that the proposed amendments aim to improve several key areas affecting the Orang Asli, including land issues, infrastructure, education, housing and economic development. He said the Act is set to be amended for the first time in over 70 years, with several aspects under consideration, particularly concerning land or roaming areas, due to disputes between the Orang Asli community, private landowners and state governments. The last amendment to Act 134 was made in 1967, and the Act was reviewed in 1974. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also called for the expansion of high-impact agricultural initiatives through the Agrotek Wilayah project under the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah). He said the smart farming approach for fertigation chili cultivation has the potential to increase national productivity and income levels. "So far, 16,000 polybags have been planted across 1.6ha of land by four participants. I believe, with proper guidance and appropriate technology, this project has the potential to produce 96,000kg of chili with an estimated annual revenue of RM576,000," he said. In addition, Ahmad Zahid urged Ketengah to spearhead the transformation of Kenyir Lake tourism through the Desa Kirana initiative and position it as an iconic destination contributing to the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. "I also want Kolej Ketengah to move beyond borders and work closely with the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to enhance the expertise of its instructors, especially in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), so that the quality of education and training can be raised to a higher level," he added. Ketengah, a statutory body under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, has been in operation for 52 years and has spent RM1.7bil during that time to implement various programmes and projects aimed at regional development and improving community well-being. - Bernama
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
KKDW intensifies promotion of Lake Kenyir
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), through the Central Terengganu Development Board (Ketengah), will intensify efforts to promote Lake Kenyir in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Its deputy minister, Datuk Rubiah Wang said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the noticeable decline in tourist arrivals to the area following the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We are aware that the number of visitors declined during the COVID-19 period, but according to information from Ketengah, the number of tourists visiting Lake Kenyir has started to rise again since last year,' she told reporters after officiating the state-level 2025 KKDW Clients' Day here today. She said Ketengah has been working closely with the state government to further enhance tourism products and activities at Lake Kenyir, the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia. She noted that although the management and certain operations at the lake are overseen by Ketengah, jurisdiction over Lake Kenyir remains with the state government, necessitating strong cooperation to ensure the lake's full tourism potential is realised. In addition, Rubiah said Ketengah is actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), to position Lake Kenyir as a must-visit destination in Terengganu. She acknowledged that strategic partnerships and increased promotional efforts are key to revitalising tourism in the area, especially in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Previously, Terengganu Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris reported a steady decline in tourist arrivals to Lake Kenyir over recent years. Visitors dropped from 775,979 in 2018 to 607,398 in 2019, followed by a sharp fall to 208,097 in 2020 due to the pandemic. The numbers slightly improved in 2021 with 277,969 visitors, but dipped again to 246,896 in 2022 and 218,157 in 2023. However, Razali noted a positive turnaround last year, with tourist numbers rising to 396,715, signalling renewed interest in the destination and the potential impact of ongoing recovery and promotional efforts.
Barnama
21-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
KKDW Intensifies Promotion Of Lake Kenyir
KUALA TERENGGANU, April 21 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), through the Central Terengganu Development Board (Ketengah), will intensify efforts to promote Lake Kenyir in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Its deputy minister, Datuk Rubiah Wang said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the noticeable decline in tourist arrivals to the area following the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are aware that the number of visitors declined during the COVID-19 period, but according to information from Ketengah, the number of tourists visiting Lake Kenyir has started to rise again since last year," she told reporters after officiating the state-level 2025 KKDW Clients' Day here today. She said Ketengah has been working closely with the state government to further enhance tourism products and activities at Lake Kenyir, the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia. She noted that although the management and certain operations at the lake are overseen by Ketengah, jurisdiction over Lake Kenyir remains with the state government, necessitating strong cooperation to ensure the lake's full tourism potential is realised. In addition, Rubiah said Ketengah is actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), to position Lake Kenyir as a must-visit destination in Terengganu. She acknowledged that strategic partnerships and increased promotional efforts are key to revitalising tourism in the area, especially in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Previously, Terengganu Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris reported a steady decline in tourist arrivals to Lake Kenyir over recent years. Visitors dropped from 775,979 in 2018 to 607,398 in 2019, followed by a sharp fall to 208,097 in 2020 due to the pandemic.
