FORMULATION OF A MALAYSIA MODERN RURAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: SYNERGISING RURAL FOR CHANGE

Malaysian government aims to transform rural areas into economic focal points, improves rural livelihoods, living environment and narrows the life quality gaps between those living in urban and rural areas. Inspired by the government directive-aspirations and the emergence of new technologies in national and global rural practices, this paper attempts to discuss the formulation of a framework for rural development in Malaysia based on a modern approach. The process undertakes two main stages, namely focused literature study and review of the national existing policies and strategies to identify the key assessment elements and criteria for modern rural development. The next stage was to conduct an expert view survey to validate the developed elements and criteria, and then formulate a Malaysia modern rural development framework (FMRD). The FMRD was finally formulated by incorporating the elements and criteria promoted in the national policies and strategies and integrating them with smart technologies and ICT practices to reflect a holistic approach for rural issues. This paper concludes that the FMRD is a timely approach for the rural assessment measure to maximise its performance towards the future niches in Malaysia - rural liveability-resilient-and-smart.