SIBU: A group of longhouse headmen and residents from the Salim, Stabau, Sungai Nibong, Dudong, Sungai Pak, Durin, and Lanang areas have urged that the appointment of kapitan and penghulu for the new term be given to local candidates who genuinely understand the needs and pulse of the community.
In a press conference held at a hotel here on Saturday, the group’s spokesperson, Theng Nam Hoi, proposed two names for the authorities to consider as candidates for kapitan and penghulu.
They are Mok Huo Chiang as kapitan and Theng Swee Ming as penghulu, both of whom are original residents of the area who have long been actively involved in various community programmes and welfare works.
According to Nam Hoi, the closeness of the two individuals to the local community and their service records make them the most suitable choices to lead the grassroots leadership.
“They not only often go to the field, but are also always a reference when there are issues or emergencies in our area.
“Their good relationship with the multi-racial community makes them ideal candidates to hold this position.
“We believe their appointment will bring great benefits to the community because they understand the needs of the residents, know local issues, and have good relations with the multi-racial community in this area,” he said.
He also said that residents have long hoped that these important positions would be held by those who actually live and serve in the area.
Nam Hoi stressed that the community wants leaders who are approachable, efficient in conveying government information, and capable of being a bridge between residents and relevant agencies.
“We want a leader who is close to the people, someone who can be reached at any time, who understands the real situation on the ground, and who can be a bridge of communication between the residents and the government.
“This kind of leadership is very important especially when it comes to the distribution of aid, the development of minor rural projects, as well as the delivery of official information,” he added.
At the same time, he stressed that the language of the educational background should also be a priority because today’s community leaders need to be digitally literate, able to manage official documentation, understand laws related to community governance and be skilled in dealing with government agencies.
Therefore, he is confident that the appointment of Mok and Swee Ming is right because both of them are graduates of local universities.
Mok is a graduate of Universiti Sains Malaysia in the field of Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, while Swee Ming is a graduate of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in the field of Professional Master in Business Administration.
The matter was also supported by Tuai Rumah Joseph Ason from Ulu Salim, Tuai Rumah Monica Giri from Stabau, and Tuai Rumah Jabu Selat from Ulu Sg. Salim, who are ready to give full support to the proposed appointment.
In this regard, the group of longhouse headmen and residents involved hope that the related relevant ministry can seriously examine the proposal to ensure that the voices of the communities in the Salim, Stabau, Sungai Nibong, Dudong, Sungai Pak, Durin and Lanang areas continue to be heard and represented effectively in the coming term.
