KUCHING: Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) should play a more active role in ensuring development projects in villages and residential areas are implemented effectively.
Assistant Minister of Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the involvement of JKKK in rural transformation projects was essential to monitor and ensure the projects were implemented smoothly.
This was important as JKKK members represented their villages and residential areas.
Dr Abdul Rahman was alluding to an announcement by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas that JKKKs would be empowered with more community development responsibilities, including getting directly involved in the implementation of rural transformation projects (RTPs).
He lauded the monthly allowance of RM300 which will be paid to the secretary of each JKKK starting this month.
“This special incentive for JKKK secretaries is a wise move to facilitate operations, especially in the aspect of operational expenses,” he told New Sarawak Tribune, while thanking the Sarawak government for this recognition of JKKK.
The Pantai Damai assemblyman said since their inception, the JKKKs had played a major role in the development of settlements in Sarawak.
“It not only acts as the eyes and ears of the state government but it also channels information regarding the latest government policies,” he said, adding that their recognition was indeed appropriate as they had been of great assistance to the government.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports and Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan said that JKKKs always assisted in preparing programmes in his constituency, such as the Randau Ruai GPS event this coming Sunday.
Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh also applauded the initiative by the state government to enhance the responsibilities of JKKKs and expedite projects especially RTPs which have direct impact on the local community.
“It is important to instil integrity among all JKKK members and the chairman, ketua kampung, or tuai rumah must be someone well-versed in government policies and respected within the community,” he said.
