Move to curb corruption in new villages

KUALA LUMPUR: To curb corruption and misuse of power, one family is only allowed to have two representatives in the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of new villages, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said this approach, among several others, was necessary to maintain the integrity of the committees.

“The report of a JKKK’s account cannot be signed by members from the same family in order to prevent any wrongdoings.

“We also reject requests submitted by village heads for allocations to repair their houses.

“They should use their allowance for the purpose.

“Even applications from their parents and children will not be entertained,” he said.

Dr Wee, who is also MCA deputy president, was speaking to the press after a pledging ceremony at Wisma MCA here attended by 700 JKKK chairmen and secretaries as well as village development officers nationwide.

Led by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, they pledged to say no to “hulur, kaotim and settle”.

Hulur refers to the act of holding their hands out for bribery, while kaotim is the colloquial Chinese term for settling a matter with money.

Dr Wee urged the villagers to report to the MACC should they come across middlemen claiming to be able to solve a problem for them for a fee.

There are a total of 613 new villages and fishing villages in the country, with JKKK assisting the villagers to administer infrastructure projects, house repairs and small projects approved by the Parliament.

Dzulkifli said he was touched by the JKKK members’ commitment in supporting the MACC’s efforts.

Also present at the ceremony were MCA’s new village and local government affairs bureau chairman Datuk Indera Hoh Khai Mun, deputy chairman Datuk Dr Lee Hong Tee and the Prime Minister’s Department new village division director Wee Li Ling.