Asfia (left) accepts a memento from Hii after officiating at the seminar.
SIBU: It is crucial for community leaders to be firm and assertive in their principles so that they would not be easily swayed by negative outside influences.
However, it is also equally vital that their principles be focused on the well-being, welfare and best interest of their people.
In stating this, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar said these leaders must be knowledgeable in the local laws, customs, beliefs and cultures peculiar to their respective communities. “How can you lead your people if you are not well-versed in these things?
“For example, if you are an Iban longhouse chief, you must know the Iban cultures and customs.
“The same goes for the local Muslim community leaders, including the ‘imam’ (congregation head). You should be well-versed in some prayer recitals and religious affairs, including Muslim funeral rites. As leaders, you all must also be eloquent so that your followers would continue to respect you,” he said during a seminar on ‘Community Leadership and Development’ on Saturday, held in conjunction with the three-day division-level ‘Sejiwa Senada’ programme here, which concluded yesterday.
The participants of the talk comprised 718 community heads and longhouse chiefs from here, Kanowit and Selangau districts.
Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee was among those present.
Asfia, who was present on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, added that another role of community leaders would be to update respective district offices on issues or problems experienced in their areas.
“I must remind you all that it is not the role community leaders to blow certain issues out of proportion. If anything, they should seek solutions by referring the matter to relevant authorities,” he said.
Asfia also reminded them that as the appointment of community leaders had been entrusted to them by the government, they should support all the government policies.
“It is your official responsibility to present and explain to your followers about government policies. The chief minister has implemented 50 policies within his two years in office.
“If you want all these policies to continue benefiting all Sarawakians, then you should continue to support him by giving him the mandate to lead for another five more years,” he said.