KUCHING: Some 1,500 new community leaders such as Tuai Rumah, Ketua Kampung and Kapitan are expected to be appointed statewide, the latest by next February.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said they were in addition to 468 others who had been identified and would soon be appointed or reappointed.
He said this during a meeting with Kuching District’s 22 Iban headmen and ‘ketua genturong’ (settlement chiefs) at his office here yesterday.
The group was led by Kuching Iban community paramount chief, Temenggong Datuk Bernard Agan and Pemanca John Tambi and six Penghulu.
Uggah said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had advised that the new community chiefs be appointed properly based on existing standard operating procedure (SOP).
He said the people themselves would choose the leaders, and he hoped they would choose carefully and wisely.
“We hope there would be minimal tussle for the positions as that could lead to longhouses splitting up over some disagreement or dissatisfaction. Similarly, we cannot delay the appointments so as not to create problems for the people,” he said.
Uggah said when the appointments had been done there would be about 5,900 community leaders in the state.
He then advised all Iban community leaders in Kuching District to re-organise their respective village security and development committees to further strengthen them in order to be effective in serving the people.
He also suggested that they update their respective settlement profiles to facilitate the implementation of government development programmes and assistance.
During the function, Uggah presented cheques for RM250,000 for special assistance to 22 longhouse and settlement chiefs.
He said the state government was also prepared to assist others who had not received such assistance.
