SRI AMAN: Community leaders such as longhouse and village chiefs must be prepared to embrace changes brought by the people they lead in their respective settlements.
Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang said that many people today possess higher educational backgrounds and hold senior positions in government or private agencies, and their voices should therefore be heard by community leaders.
“Community leaders should not feel offended if residents frequently voice objections during Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) meetings, to the extent that they are quietly sidelined from receiving government assistance.
“What the people are doing is not an act of hostility, but rather reflects their desire to see their settlements progress and keep pace with development over time,” he said.
He was speaking at the presentation ceremony of appointment and extension certificates for community and tribal leaders (KMKKs) within the Melugu areas at Rumah Panjang Entulang Danau here recently.
He also urged community leaders not to squander the trust placed in them by the Sarawak Government in helping to improve the lives of the people they serve.
“This responsibility is very significant, and that is why the Sarawak Government has increased their allowances so that they can fulfil their duty to safeguard the welfare of the people and advance their settlements,” he said.
At the event, Mong announced a Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocation of RM10,000 for the JKKK of Rumah Noria Ampat, Entulang Danau, to support their longhouse activities.