Wan Mohamad (second left) presents a souvenir to Dr Juanda while Nursyarmilla (left), Izal (right) and Hii look on.
SIBU (Feb 13): Power and money are reasons why some community leaders refuse to let go of their positions, said Deputy Minister in Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya.
Speaking at the closing of a workshop Development of Community Leadership Integrity Module Level 3 here today, he proposed putting a limit on the authority or power of these leaders to prevent abuse.
“Usually when we talk about community leaders, we always talk about power and money which could potentially compromise integrity if there is no guideline.
“When it comes to the appointment of community leaders, many do not want it because the allowance is not much. But when their service is about to end, I can say out of 10 people, 10-and-a-half of them want to continue.
“Why? Because of the power. The other reason? Money.”
Juanda said certain community leaders have certain authority such as approval of land ownership which sometimes could cause disputes among the people in the area if it was done without integrity.
Thus, he believed there must be a limitation of power among community leaders to ensure that there is no abuse of power.
Juanda also proposed to have a standard logbook to make it easier for community leaders to do their reports on the projects or funding received.
He said such practice would also create convenience for the government when conducting checks, and also ensure that there is a high level of integrity among community leaders.
“If we instruct community leaders to file reports on minor rural project (MRP) funds that they receive from their YB (elected representative) or from any government, then at the end of the day they must do their reports.
“So I think it is time for us to have a standard logbook for them. I also know that some village security and development committees (JKKK) keep records and reports on the Rural Transformation Project, and we do have a standard report format for them.
“However, there must be constant monitoring and auditing to ensure that the delivery of service is being done properly,” he said.
He also said community leaders should be trained on how to handle complaints from the people as he believed that 90 per cent of complaints could be resolved if community leaders are good listeners.
“It is important that the community leaders understand that their performance will be evaluated.
“When they have some indicators on how they are being evaluated, I believe we will have community leaders who will give better services to the people,” he said.
Also present at the event were Deputy State Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee, Director of Integrity and Ombudsman Unit of the Premier’s Department Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman, Chief Officer of the Operations Sector (Malaysia Institute of Integrity) Izal Arif Zahrudin, and representative from Sibu Resident Office Nursyarmilla Jeruis.
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