It is not the standard practice of the State Government to appoint “Ketua Masyarakat” through elections.
In his winding-up speech in the State Legislative Assembly yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister and Modenisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas pointed out that “bermuafakat” or cohesion in the community was still the best system to appoint “Ketua Masyarakat” and maintain harmony in the state’s multiracial society.
“Ketua Masyarakat”, he added, were appointed through the KMKK Divisional Selection Committee chaired by the respective Residents in the Divisions.
According to Uggah, the community leaders can attend any official programmes or functions in the state.
He said there were a number of compulsory procedures after suitable candidates were identified for the posts and one of these was passing the security clearance test.
“The delay in the appointment of community leaders occurs because it involves the security clearance that is very thorough by the relevant quarters and it certainly takes times.
“Nevertheless, the State Government together with the police will take appropriate steps to speed up the existing process,” Uggah added.
