SANDAKAN: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry is to give priority to four sectors in its effort to upgrade infrastructure in rural areas.Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said here these were water supply, roads, electricity supply, and housing for the hardcore poor.

These facilities would help the rural people not only improve their living standard but also upgrade their economic well-being, he said at a dinner here Saturday.

The government has allocated RM12 billion more for infrastructure spending under the RM60 billion second stimulus plan.

Much of the additional RM12 billion is to go towards small-scale projects such as schools, road works and basic infrastructure. — Bernama