Don’t sell gazetted lots, rep warns village chiefs
KOTA KINABALU: Karambunai assemblyman Azhar Matussin has warned the village chiefs in his constituency to not simply sell the gazetted lots in their respective villages.
Speaking to reporters at the handing-over ceremony of the appointment letters for Village Community Management Council (MPKK) leaders for his constituency, Azhar said that those caught doing so might even risk facing termination.
“Previously, this (selling gazetted lots) used to be a norm. There were many village chiefs who were involved in the practice of selling lots from their respective areas.
“I don’t want this to happen again. I have heard complaints and rumours that there were some newly appointed (village chiefs) who had started to get involved in such activity even before they received their appointment letters.
“If this happens again, I will not hesitate to report this to the relevant authorities or even terminate their services. However, this will be done according to the existing laws,” he said.
Although there was a delay in the appointment of the MPPK leaders, Azhar said that he was happy the matter had already been addressed.
“I hope that this appointment would smoothen the administration in Karambunai. Before this, all the community development responsibilities had to be handled by myself alone.
“I would like to congratulate all the appointed leaders here today and I wish to remind them that their appointment represents a huge responsibility; to be a leader is not an easy task,” said Azhar.
Azhar, who is also the Assistant Trade and Industry Minister, said that a leader should be committed, ethical, friendly, trustworthy and service-oriented.
He stressed that the newly appointed leaders must strive to be an example to the people of their respective villages by carrying out their duties diligently.
“These leaders are the ones who would represent me in the Karambunai constituency,” he added.
Forty-seven appointees received their appointment letters yesterday; they comprised district chiefs, Anak Negeri chiefs, village heads and MPKK members.
Also present in the event was Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman.