Certification for JKKK a recognition of their roles and functions
The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development’s Village Administration Certificate Programme for village security and development committees (JKKK) gives recognition to their important roles and functions.
The nationwide programme held through the Institute for Rural Advancement (Infra) in collaboration with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) acknowledges how JKKK act as a ‘bridge’ between the government and people, as well as work to preserve harmony and unity.
An initiative under the Rural Transformation Plan, mooted by Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Nov 20, 2015, it aims to produce JKKK that are more informed, skilled as well as demonstrate high integrity when administrating their respective village organisations and communities.
In his speech at the Sarawak Zone Infra-UniKL Village Administration Certificate Programme on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi noted that the ministry has also come up with new initiatives such as JKKK Management Procedures Version 2, which aims to strengthen the management of JKKK such as payment of allowance through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), allowance payment monitoring system, and the preparation of reports online using the e-administration system.
“In order to ensure high professionalism among the JKKK leadership, my ministry is in the process of devising methods to provide educational opportunities at diploma level administration.
“This programme will be implemented in collaboration with higher learning institutions under the ministry such as UniKL and University College Agroscience Malaysia (UCAM),” he said, adding that JKKK and upcoming leaders can take the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills to improve the methods of management.
Meanwhile, Infra director Datuk Rubiyah Abdul Rahman said the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development tasked Infra and UniKL to develop a special module to implement the Village Administration Certificate Programme, which began earlier this year.
“The first phase of the programme comprising the central and south zones was held in March where 583 JKKK from Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Melaka and Johor attended the three-day programme followed by the east zone which was participated by 632 participants from Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.
“For the north zone, we had 1,040 participants from Penang, Perlis, Perak and Kedah attending the programme in Alor Setar from May 16 to 18,” she said.
To date, 2,723 JKKK members have attended the Village Administration Certificate Programme and organisers have set a target of 3,500 participants for the first batch of the programme.
For the Sarawak zone, 468 community leaders, including JKKK chairmen from Kuching, Samarahan and Serian divisions attended the three-day programme, which covered five modules – Village Strategic Plan, Entrepreneurship, Administration and Financial Management, Responsibilities as Assistant Registrar of Voters, and Village Project Monitoring.
Participants found the programme very useful in improving their leadership skills at grassroots level.
“This is the first time I’ve attended such a programme and it has enabled me and my fellow peers to share ideas and improve our skills in leadership while at the same time, foster closer relationships with one another,” said Penghulu Dolla Sabari Wongso.
The 94-year-old from Kampung Sri Arjuna along Jalan Puncak Borneo near here, was the oldest JKKK member to participate in the programme. Dolla, who served as a village chief from 1957 until he was appointed penghulu in 1993, pointed out that there have been many changes in the grassroots leadership system over the years.
According to him, in the olden days, whenever he needed to communicate with villagers, he had to travel quite a distance on foot compared to today when roads are all in good condition.
“I have served as a grassroots leader since the Japanese occupation and British colonial era up until Malaysia was formed and there were definitely many changes since then.
“Under the Malaysian government, we are able to enjoy benefits such as basic facilities that enabled grassroots leaders to provide their service,” he said. Dolla also opined that JKKK members play an important role, especially in ensuring the safety and prosperity of the village, in addition to providing advice to villagers who face problems.
“A JKKK member’s responsibility is also to serve as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the government and not to instigate the people,” he added.