Termination of village heads unprecedented, says Bumburing

KOTA KINABALU: The termination of service of all village heads by the government is unprecedented by any new government in Sabah, said Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) president Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing.

“I do not remember the Berjaya, PBS and Barisan Nasional state governments doing a sweeping sacking of all ketua kampungs when they came to power. This drastic action had caused many difficulties among the villages,” he said in a statement yesterday.

According to him, the village chiefs, especially among the Kadazandusun community, play a very important role in protecting and administering the native laws and customs. There are many ketua kampungs who have been in service a long time and continued on despite a change of governments.

“Of course, there are many politically appointed ketua kampungs who have not performed in accordance with the wishes of the villagers and causing many grouses to arise from among them. This problem surely needs to be addressed, but the community should be consulted,” he said.

The result of the 14th general election had given rise to a longanticipated hope for the people for a new government that is people centred and can bring changes for the better based on the ‘New Malaysia’ philosophy of the Pakatan Harapan federal government. However, the sweeping action to terminate all the ketua kampungs was a big dismay for the people.

“I urge the state government not to leave the void for too long as the village chiefs play an important role in the community. I also urge the government to let the villagers elect their ketua kampung and the JKKKs. This will empower the people at the grassroots. The government should not be unduly worried about the political stand of those elected because they will be monitored by the people. If the government manages the state well I am sure the people will give their support,” he said.

Bumburing is also hoping that the state government gives full support to the judicial functions of the Native Court as the third but equal in importance in the judicial system of Sabah. He said when the function of the native court is tampered with political interference, then the basic rights of the people is denied.

“I take as an example a serious case involving an Umno leader that was brought to the Keningau Native Court. The Native Court chief concerned did not dare to conduct the trial because of interference from the political leaders then. There is now a fully-fledged Ministry of Law and Native Affairs, and I hope that the government will ensure that justice is not denied to the people,” he stressed.