KUALA LUMPUR: The government stressed that there is no issue of dividing Sarawakians at village level with the appointment of Village Community Management Council (MPPK) chairman in the state.
Deputy Rural Development Minister R Sivarasa said the government will only appoint MPPK chairman for each village and will not replace the existing Tuai Rumah (Village head) who have been appointed under the Community Chief and Head Ordinance 2004 by the state government.
“I am referring to a statement made in the meeting with Parti Keadilan Rakyat grassroots leaders on Sunday (Sept 15) that the federal government will be appointing MPPK chairman for each village soon.
“My statement has been quoted and reported by Sarawak media and a news portal which drew reactions from Sarawak GPS leaders who misunderstood and distorted my statement,” he said in a statement here today.
He said Sarawak GPS leaders gave the impression that the move by the federal government in appointing MPPK chairman was to divide Sarawakians at village level with two Tuai Rumah.
In the statement, he clarified that MPPK chairman who will be appointed will be empowered village administration as well as ensuring government programmes is fully enjoyed by the people at the grassroots. – Bernama
