DULY APPOINTED: Alexander presents the appointment certificate to Tuai Rumah Mathews Chuat Seribu (right).
KANOWIT: The state government would screen properly the candidates for longhouse chiefs before they are officially appointed.
According to Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent the candidacy must also be endorsed by the elected representatives and ‘penghulus’ in their areas.
Speaking before presenting the certificate of appointment to 17 new and re-appointed longhouse chiefs in his area, he said they would be screened for, among others, leadership quality.
“Now, people are quite eager to hold the post because they are given monthly allowance besides the honour and respect associated with the job.
“In addition, the state government is restructuring the allowance for our community leaders,” he said at the function held at the District Office here on Friday.
Assistant Minister of Land Development Datuk Gramong Juna was also presenting certificates to
another 17 new and reappointed longhouse chiefs from Machan.
Alexander said as paid officers, it was expected of them to give their fullest support to the government in looking after the welfare of their followers and in implementing its policies and plans.
“It is always wrong for you to associate yourself with the opposition.
“The government will not hesitate to terminate your appointment for doing so or to criticise it openly,” he said.
He added longhouse chiefs too were expected to be able to unite their followers although a few might have different political beliefs.
“A fair, capable, likeable, forward looking leadership is very important so that the longhouse community will continue to flourish.
“It is very sad if any longhouse should split up because of political differences and the inability of the longhouse chief to stop this from happening,” he said.
He later urged a group of 99 longhouse chiefs who have not received their appointment certificates to be patient.
There are over 300 longhouse chiefs in the district.
“Do not bring your grouses to the opposition. They cannot do anything to help,” he said.