BETONG: Village Security and Development Committees (JKKK) in Sarawak will now have a bigger role to play.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state Cabinet agreed to empower JKKKs in more community development tasks at its meeting last week.
He said this during the GPS roadshows at two longhouses in Ulu Layar in his Bukit Saban constituency here on Sunday.
“For instance, we’ve decided for them to be directly involved in the implementation of rural transformation projects.
“These include longhouse repairs or construction of surau and jetty. Previously, such projects were tendered out,” Uggah said.
The JKKKs would have two options to carry out such projects such as doing them on a gotong-royong basis or appointing their own contractor.
“In both ways, they will have to consult the state Public Works Department or the relevant agency for designing, costing and progress monitoring,” he elaborated.
Uggah added that the state government would provide the funds.
He also said that starting this month, the state government would be paying all JKKK secretaries the monthly salary of RM300.
“These enhancements are in recognition of the important roles of the JKKK in community development.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has a very high regard for the JKKKs.
“They have existed since the time of the White Rajah and have been a very important unity promoting and preserving institution,” he said.
He advised all JKKKs to double and redouble their efforts to serve the people.
On agriculture, Uggah, who is also Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, called on pepper planters here not to give up due to the low price of the commodity in the market.
He said they could apply for assistance from the government to maintain their crops.
