Village chiefs

Great things happen nationally when topmost leadership is goaded and supported from below

— John W. Gardner (1971–Present), British writer known for having written Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, The Last American, The Bogie Man, A History of Violence, and Button Man, to name a few.

VILLAGE chiefs or more commonly referred to as Ketua Kaum (KK) by the locals play a crucial role in the socio-economic development of their communities.

They serve as intermediaries between their villages and the government, and in addressing issues relating to healthcare, education, and infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

Their prime duties also include overseeing the allocation of resources, resolving disputes, and promoting community participation in decision-making.

Sadly, despite their importance, they seem to have been underappreciated — monetarily, to say the least. This is reflected in their pay, which is a pittance. Comparatively, even a daily-paid odd-job labourer has better pay. Generally, an odd-job labourer receives a minimum of RM50 a day or about RM1,300 a month based on 26 working days.

It is no wonder that many talented and qualified individuals shy away from being appointed as village chiefs, leading to a shortage of capable grassroots leaders. Could this somehow have been overlooked by the authorities? If not, why then are the village chiefs being paid a pittance?

Whatever the reason, it must be rectified immediately. If left unchecked, it would remain a major drawback to the government’s aspiration to transform Sarawak into a progressive state by the year 2030.

The current rate of pay or allowance for village chiefs should be revised without any further delay.

Based on my random chats with some KK over the past few weeks or so, I discovered that, on many occasions, the KK had to spend their own money to help resolve issues within their communities.

Their current allowance of RM900 a month, which is even below the minimum wage of RM1,500 a month, is grossly insufficient for them to carry out their numerous tasks relating to their positions, let alone meet their daily need.

This has burdened them, particularly those who are already struggling to make ends meet. As it is, many KK — except those who are government pensioners — have to look for other sources of income or even opt for full-time salaried jobs simply to be financially stable. This deprives their communities of full-time heads.

The situation is becoming more complex now given that the role of village chiefs is becoming increasingly complex as rural communities face new challenges such as climate and economic change as well as rapid urbanisation.

These challenges require the village chiefs to have a broader range of skills, including the ability to coordinate with government agencies and navigate complex bureaucratic systems.

The government should acknowledge the increased responsibility placed on them and reciprocate accordingly by providing them with adequate compensation in line with their expanded duties. The lack of remuneration for village chiefs is not only unfair but also detrimental to the communities they serve.

Reasonable and fair allowance would certainly allow the KK to focus on their duties, effectively carry out their duties and provide essential services to their communities, without worrying about their financial stability.

Aside from improving their economic well-being, raising the allowance will also make the KK’s role to be more attractive to potential individuals, thereby increasing the pool of qualified leaders in the rural areas.

It would also enable them to be more motivated and invested in the development of their communities and encourage them to remain in their positions for longer periods.

This would augur well with efforts to provide greater stability and continuity in leadership as well as assurance that the rural communities would be well-served.

Currently, more than 5,000 village chiefs are serving in villages throughout the state. Personally, with their expanded workload and the important role they play, I believe a minimum pay of RM2,500 a month is reasonable. 

By paying a fair and adequate allowance, the government can assure that the village chiefs would be able to effectively discharge their duties while at the same time providing essential services to their communities.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.