By Nurhauni Lee Abdullah
KANOWIT: The Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP) cannot be implemented in the state except with prior approval by the State Legislative Assembly.
This was confirmed by Local Government Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil while officiating at ‘Hari Bersama Pelanggan 2019’ organised by Kanowit District Council (MDK) at Kanowit Market, Jalan Banglo here, yesterday.
“If the MPKKP is implemented, what law would apply to it or operate under? Whatever gets implemented here (even a federal government programme or policy) must first obtain ‘permission’ from the state legislature first,” he said.
He also gave an example of an individual from his area (Marudi) who wanted to open up an MPKKP account. That individual met with a District Officer to get his approval but the District Officer told him that he did not know what MPKKP was.
He described the case as ‘gila kuasa’ (greedy for power) in which the man wanted to be an MPKKP chairman hoping to get the annual allocation of RM10,000 that was announced by the federal government.
“But MPKKP is not recognised in the state and has been rejected by many,” he said.
Penguang, who is also Marudi assemblyman, reiterated that the state government would pay the allowances of all Tuai Rumah (TR) and other community leaders starting next year.
“(If) the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government does not want to pay their salaries, we will foot the bill. This was presented in the 2020 State Budget tabled during the last state legislature sitting,” he said.
He then reminded all community leaders and councillors to continue working with the state government to enhance their roles of serving the people.
Also present at the event were Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent, Kanowit District Officer cum MDK chairman Kathreen Eddie Saga and MDK secretary Anthony Luta.
A total of 300 residents and MDK councillors were present at the programme.
Apart from that, there are 13 government agencies involved to open up their respective service counters to the public.
