KUCHING: Relevant governmental bodies are urged to enhance the competency of community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) in Sarawak.
In urging this, Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said this can be done through conducting regular workshops and seminars by the Council for Native Customs and Traditions, the Sarawak Native Court as well as the Resident’s Office.
Additionally, he highlighted during the Ngarum Tikuruk Bisamah Punu’uh Bidayuh event at DBNA Multipurpose Hall last night (Mar 16) the importance of self-acquisition of skills through reading and attending relevant functions.
“As communities undergo rapid development and socioeconomic transformation, KMKK are expected to expand their responsibilities beyond being mere custodians and enforcers of adat, customs, and tradition.
“This expanded role includes disseminating government development plans and policies, addressing security and safety issues, particularly those affecting their community, such as disaster management, serving as the eyes and ears for the government by gathering and reporting information,” he said
KMKK, he said, should also aid in organising government events, supporting project implementation, including new projects under the Greater Kuching Development Coordination Agency (GKCDA), primarily focused on the Bidayuh area and hosting the state level Gawai celebration for the Bidayuh community this year.
To effectively fulfil their duties, he said KMKK must also possess essential competencies such as knowledge of local practices, customs, and traditions, understanding of government policies and development agendas, and proficiency in ICT and communication skills.
“In Sarawak, the state government has set up a very special and unique structure and scheme of service for the Ketua Masyarakat and Ketua Kaum, or in short, KMKK, which comprises of the Temenggong, Pemanca, Penghulu and Ketua Kampung.
“It is an institution by itself with a defined and specific role at each layer with the aim of helping the government to manage and administer the multiracial communities of Sarawak when it comes to enforcement of adat, preservation and promotion of customs and traditions,” he said.
