SIBU: Community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) are part of the state government who provide important services to the people, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said the KMKK also act as the eyes and ears of their community, bridging the government and the people.
Having said this he warned the KMKK about the current political situation in Malaysia, where friends could be enemies and vice versa.
“This reminds me of what the late former Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud reminded me of a few times – to not listen to what a person says, but to study his or her character because character does not change.
“Please also be on high alert for viral online scams, fake news, AI with deep fakes, and it is more important than ever to verify (the news),” he said in his Facebook post yesterday (April 5).
Dr Sim was at the presentation of reappointment letters to 50 KMKK members of the Bawang Assan constituency.
The Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Minister said it is time for Bawang Assan to catch up with development.
“With the recent announcement by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on special Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) funds for Bawang Assan, it is a clear testimony that he does not want Bawang Assan to be left behind,” he said.
At the ceremony, alongside 48 longhouse chiefs, Ting Jack Sing was appointed as Penghulu and Chew Hoo Kiong was appointed as Kapitan in the Bawang Assan constituency
Also present were Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, Political Secretary to Premier Romeo Christopher Tegong, Sibu Municipal Council Chairman Clarence Ting and others.