KAPIT: Three Chinese community leaders here received their appointment letters from Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing on Monday.
They were Kapitan Neo Kee Hoi for Nanga Merit Sub-district, Pemanca Yong Thu Fook and Temenggong Tan Kian Hoo.
“Since there’s only one Temenggong and Pemanca, you’re not only to serve just the Hockien or Kwang Tung clans only. Your duty is to look after the whole Chinese community in Kapit, Song and Belaga,” said Masing.
He also called on Chinese community leaders to unite the Chinese here.
“Community leaders have an important role to serve as the vital bridge between the people and the government,” he said.
Masing pointed out that there is no Penghulu post for the Kapit Chinese community at present.
“The post must be created first before proposing any nomination to fill the vacancy. In Kapit we have three Kapitan – one each for the Foochow, Hockien and Kwang Tung clan. Then, one Pemanca and Temenggong for the community.
“The post of Penghulu never existed and therefore the post ought to be created before thinking of any nomination to fill the vacancy. So, there’s no point to lobby for it now,” he said.
Neo was born in 1954 in Sungai Kut, Dalat, Mukah, but has been living in Kapit since 1975.
Yong was born in Kapit in 1952 and has been Kapitan for the Kwang Tung clan since 1985.
Tan, born in 1968, is the fourth Chinese Temenggong.