KUALA LUMPUR: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry will hand over six Rural Transformation Centres (RTCs) to their original building owners and state governments while maintaining five others.

The Perak, Kelantan and Penang RTCs will be handed back to their respective building owners, while two RTCs in Sarawak and one in Negeri Sembilan will be returned to their state governments.

Speaking after chairing her first meeting with all 13 state executive councillors for rural development or their representatives, minister Rina Harun said one of the factors for the rationalisation were the finances of the states.

“Another was the placement of the RTCs themselves, the ones that have been retained in Melaka, Pahang, Kedah, Terengganu and Johor are all in rural areas.

"They are not near any urban centres as the Urban Transformation Centres duplicate the same functions,” Rina said.

As for whether statutory body Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) would continue to remain under her ministry, Rina said that the decision would be made by the Cabinet.