Community leaders told to hold regular meetings

PANTU: Community leaders and Village Security and Development Committees (JKKK) are urged to hold meetings frequently to be updated on matters regarding the peoples’ issues and problems so that they can be resolved quickly.

Apart from that, when their elected representatives come, they would be prepared and ready to present what is needed, and that aid as well as development projects could come in quickly and easily.

Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat commended the JKKK of Rh Achang at Kpg Muding for organising a dialogue session on Tuesday, where JKKKs of surrounding villages came together and discussed issues and the needs of their villages and longhouses.

“It is good that you all can come together and discuss matters together and transparently. By the time we (elected representatives) come here, you all have the opportunity to forward to us what you have discussed.

“That is the kind of unity the Barisan Nasional (BN) government wants — everyone to come together in unity. Because of that, it would be easy for the government to implement development plans and projects to your villages,” said Masir during a 1Malaysia people-meet-the-leaders programme at Kpg Muding here on Wednesday.

Also present was Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan.

The night before, the Rh Achang JKKK had a dialogue session with JKKKs from other surrounding longhouses to discuss matters like improving access roads into the village, upgrading of the water pipe system, electricity, Native Customary Rights (NCR) land surveying and the mini estate programme announced by Assistant Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture Datuk Peter Nyarok Entri in 2008 which had yet to be implemented till now.

“We urge the elected representatives to look into these matters as soon as possible for the sake of the rural people’s wellbeing,” said Tuai Rumah Achang Mumin in his speech earlier.

He pointed out that the people of Kpg Muding would always stay true to the BN government because of the development programmes and infrastructure development that only the government can bring.

“We must together unite in supporting as well as voting for the BN government in the coming state election because we rural people still need a lot of development, which we know only the BN government can bring,” said Achang.

In relation to that, Snowdan said an allocation of RM10,000 will be channelled to the village to repair the access roads temporarily while waiting for the 10MP allocation to build proper roads next year.

“We will also apply to the state government to upgrade the water system, and will propose for an alternative electricity for this village like a micro hydro dam or solar hybrid.

“As for the surveying of the NCR land, I urge those affected to submit relevant papers to the Land and Survey Department. First and foremost, make sure that the village land is gazetted.

“For the mini estate programme, we will discuss with Datuk Peter Nyarok on the status,” Snowdan explained.

On another note, Snowdan advised the Tuai Rumah and other community leaders to buck up if they want to continue serving because if they under-perform or is not a satisfactory to the people and the JKKK, their services can be terminated.

This goes the same for the elected representatives and even the ministers through the Key Performance Index (KPI) being implemented recently by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, he added.

“If we don’t perform, then we should be replaced,” added Snowdan.

Later, Snowdan announced an allocation of another additional RM10,000 to repair the access road into the village, making the total allocation RM20,000. Snowdan advised the village to set up a Road Committee to oversee the road upgrade works consisting of representatives from all surrounding villages.
September 10, 2010, Friday

Pix: PEOPLE FIRST: Masir (background sixth right) and Snowdan (centre) pose for a photo call with the village folk before taking off.