Asfia (seated centre), flanked by from left Misnu, Sikie, Talib and Yakup, with other attendees and participants.
BINTULU: Grassroot leaders are government representatives at the ground level, State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said.
He said they are more powerful than the ordinary people’s representatives (lawmakers) in that they have influence over the community and people on the ground.
“The Adun (lawmaker) is only a bridge between the State Legislative Assembly and the people,” he said.
Thus, he said, it is essential that every grassroots leader be able to stand on their own feet and have the relevant knowledge and soft skills.
“They must have the oratory skills to counter the opposition’s propaganda, they must influence others and they should not easily be influenced by the people,” said Asfia, when representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to officiate the Sarawak Grassroot Leadership 2015 seminar at Kemena Plaza Hotel here yesterday.
Ideally, he added, grassroot leaders are those who have a strong influence and enjoy high status in the community and are respected by others.
He also said they should have a strong personality and be close to the community and have the ability to lead them in religious, social and cultural perspectives.
“What is important is the grassroot leaders must understand government policies to enable them to explain them to the people on the ground,” Asfia stressed.
And if they understand government development policies, they would be in a better position to counter any baseless accusations by the opposition, he added.
“If the baseless allegations are continuously being played by the opposition without any reply, the people will think it’s true, the Barisan Nasional supporters will be restless and in doubt because of their inability to counter the accusation,” he pointed out.
As an example, he drew the audience’s attention to the accusation frequently played up by the opposition that the state government stole the people’s land and if they were given the mandate to form the government, they would not use even an inch of the people’s land.
“If what they say is true, then they will not go for development because every development needs land such as to build schools, hospitals and other facilities which are requested by the people for the people,” said Asfia.
A total of 433 persons are taking part in the two-day seminar which ends today.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Native Adat and Penan Affairs) cum Kakus assemblyman Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Assistant Minister of Tourism cum Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talip Zulpilip, deputy state secretary Datu Misnu Taha and Bintulu Resident Muhamad Yakup Kari.