‘Village heads appointed to serve the people’
LONG KEVOK, Baram: Community leaders must always remember that they are appointed to serve the people under their care.
They should also always bear in mind that they have the responsibility to listen to their people’s grouses and needs, which they should do their best to resolve or bring to the higher authorities.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said this when addressing village chiefs at an appreciation event for former Long Kevok village chief Seman Ngang by the local community held at the village multi-purpose hall recently.
“With more and more rakyat now gaining better education and exposed to what is happening around them through social media and community mobility, village leaders must strive to improve their management skills.
“One way is to engage and give opportunity for the young and better educated members of your longhouse community,” he advised.
The event was held to thank Seman, who retired last year, for his services as a headman for 39 years since 1977.
At the event, two candidates were unanimously proposed to fill the post of village chief which has
With more and more rakyat now gaining better education and exposed to what is happening around them through social media and community mobility, village leaders must strive to improve their management skills. Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman
been vacant since last year.
They are Seman’s son Lucas Seman and son-in-law Ayut Geng.
Dennis laid out four leadership qualities which the rakyat expect from their leader - honesty, capability, vision and inspiration.
“As a Tua Kampung (village chief), your most important responsibility is the being and the progress of your village. Once a leader places personal interest above all else, that leader will become a burden to the community.
“You must be able to stay above all parties in the village, and must be able to acclimatise yourself with all in the village. Successful leaders possess ability to work well with all levels of communities under their charge,” said Dennis.
Dennis also reminded that being appointed by the government, village chiefs have the responsibility to explain and defend government policies and be the `eyes and ears’ of the government.
“Ketua kampung must lead in accepting change brought by the government because we would not be able to have what we want for our village if we choose to remain in our old ways of living.
“We must accept change brought by the government for the good and benefits of our generation and the future generations,” he added.
He also advised the village chiefs to value and practise integrity.
Dennis also suggested that village chiefs should organise at least one major meeting a year, especially at year- end when most of the villagers are back home for Christmas.
“At this meeting, future plans and major issues to be solved must be discussed. Several meetings are also needed if there is a need,” he added.
On the occasion, Dennis said it was truly meaningful for the villagers to commemorate the services and sacrifices of their former village chief.
“His constant hard work with the local community in collaboration with the government had transformed Long Kevok into a village that we can be proud of,” said Dennis of Seman.
Dennis, who had contributed RM2,000 for the event, said he would include a new multi-purpose hall for Long Kevok in his Rural Transformation Programme ( RTP) project for 2018.
Long Kevok is one of the 87 longhouses and settlements in Telang Usan constituency.
More than 200 people from 19 Penan villages attended the event which was made merrier with traditional Penan dance performances.