PENDANG: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the federal government agencies in Kedah to focus on effectiveness of outcomes from initiatives rolled out in the state and not just on the numbers.
Citing an example, Zahid said Kedah Regional Development Authority (Keda), since its inception in 1981, has received an accumulated RM2.31 billion allocation from from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW).
"This is a huge amount and although we have seen outputs from projects that have been implemented, I wish for the new Keda chairman and its management will also focus on the effectiveness of the outcomes.
"I believe the elements of cost effective and effectiveness should be the main agenda, not just on how many project that have been completed.
"We want to see the effectiveness of each product or initiative, such as how many participants that have managed to climb out from the hardcore poverty line," Zahid told reporters after attending the ministry's Sentuhan Kasih Ramadhan at Masjid Al Falah in Sungai Tiang here.
Present were Keda chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Also present Kedah Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and state Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, also urged Keda and other federal agencies to focus on programmes to nurture more successful entrepreneurs in Kedah.
"We wish to see products from these micro-, small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs in from Kedah to penetrate the vast export market.
"Not just our Food and Beverage products, but also raw material and ingredients for medicines and so on," he said.
Zahid also urged agencies under KKDW to streamline their cooperation with agencies under other ministries in the state to further enhance the effectiveness of their outcomes.
He later praised Keda Technical and Vocational College for achieving 96 per cent graduates' employability, which has surpassed the national average.
"Moving forward, we wish to see the college to introduce new programmes that suited with the current demands in the job market such electrical technology and Artificial Intelligence," he said.