Wong (second left), Chen (third left) and Thomas (right) with the longhouse chiefs from Nanga Ngungun.
SIBU: Many community leaders and ‘ketua kaum’ in Sarawak are in a dilemma following the May 9 general election, according to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Kanowit chairman George Chen.
He claims that with Sarawak now an opposition state, these local leaders are being threatened against participating in any Pakatan Harapan (PH) events.
“They have also been marginalised in the sense that they have not been paid their due allowances,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Citing an example, Chen alleged that five longhouse chiefs from Nanga Ngungun in Kanowit either had their allowances deducted or were removed from their position.
“Tuai Rumah Ludan Nyuak from Nanga Ngungun for one has had his service discontinued after he was found to have helped PKR Kanowit deputy chairman Thomas Laja in the 2013 general election.
“Besides Ludan, the four other longhouse chiefs are Tuai Rumah Uding Bungai, Tuai Rumah Martin Bunsu, Tuai Rumah Unjong Entalai and Tuai Rumah Ngiau Nyelipan,” he added.
According to Chen, Martin had been carrying out his duty and responsibility as ‘tuai rumah’ for nearly 20 years despite not having an official appointment letter from the Sarawak government.
He said they are now putting their hope in Works Minister Baru Bian to assist them.
Speaking at the same press conference, Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak deputy chairman David Wong said that the non-payment of allowances to the community leaders and ‘ketua kaum’ contravened the Community Chiefs and Headmen Ordinance 2004.
“This is getting serious. I don’t know how many but last Saturday, more than 20 people from Selangau came to the DAP Sibu office.
“Many of these headmen whose appointments had been approved by the state government have yet to receive payments due to them.”
Wong went on to call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to explain why the headmen were not paid their due allowance and why the appointments of a few others were nullified.