Village heads told to meet residents
By Azlan Othman and Hj Minor Absah

Dato Paduka Hj Md Yusof unveiling the signboard of the new village head. Photo: Hj Minor Absah

A senior government official urged village heads to 'take to the field' or 'Turun-Padang' and pay a visit to the village surrounding to meet the residents and take a closer look at their development, problems and requirements.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dato Paduka Hj Md. Yusof said the village head should not just sit and wait for the residents to air their grievances.

He spoke at the presentation of letter of appointment of the new village head of Kg. Panchong, Awg Muhammad Shah Asnawi in the Tutong district yesterday,

Awg Muhammad Shah Asnawi's appointment took effect on September 16, 2003 to replace Awg Muslim who has retired since July 20, 2000.

He said that village consultative council could apply for budget allocation to finance any programmes or activities deemed appropriate for the welfare and interest of the village residents.

They could make an application through the District Office. The Ministry of Home Affairs would later analyse and consider the application based on its relevancy and merit.

He urged every resident to continuously monitor any suspected activities happening in their villages such as misuse of drugs and its trafficking, smuggling of contraband goods, entry of illegal workers who do not posses valid travel documents, illegal logging, improper social activities, crime and so on.

These activities should be reported to the enforcement officers. Village leader should report on any situation including those extraordinary occurrences in the village.

He called on the village leader to understand their roles and to implement their tasks in a committed and systematic manner.

The village leader is an ear, eye and tongue for the government to establish unity, prosperity and to maintain the interest and security of the village and the country as a whole, he said.

The village leader must also posses caring not only towards the welfare of the residents such as presenting old pensions, welfare assistance allowance but also in entertaining any problems faced by the village residents.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin