OVER TO YOU: Nansian (right) presents the appointment letter to Gani as Simon (second right) and Daniel look on.
KUCHING: A former school headmaster of 30 years, Gani Jonek, is now the new Penghulu for the Bratak area in Bau.
The 61-year-old man has been the village headman of Kampung Grogo from Sept 2010 until June this year and he will be in charge of 10 Bidayuh Bratak villages along the Bau-Lundu Road. His four-year term came into effect June 28.
The official presentation of appointment letter by the state government was held at Juara Beetuah office in MJC New Township here in the presence of Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian yesterday.
Nansian, when speaking to reporters, quickly dismissed any political motive and stressed that Gani was selected following strong recommendations and nominations by the Bau District Officer and the people there.
The Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Assistant Minister of Community Services also explained that Gani fits in the ‘educated and younger’ category of community leaders needed to bring renewal to Bau.
“There are people who think that I select him, but that is not the case. His nomination shows that he has the support of the people (to be the Penghulu) and I was asked to recommend him, so the decision was bottom-up and not top-bottom.
“Now, we want to get more and more educated people to be community leaders, to lead the people and in line with the renewal process,” said Nansian, also a key member of the Barisan Nasional Club comprising the five BN elected representatives formerly with Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).
Meanwhile, Gani said his appointment as Penghulu was a new challenge for him but he pledged to do his best. He also revealed his father Jonek Dolah was also once a Orang Kaya Pemanca (OKP), similar in rank with Penghulu, in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
On Nansian, he said they were both schoolmates once although Nansian was his senior. He said he was also familar with the District Officer Simon Japut as they used to play football together many years ago.
“I will consult YB (Nansian) on matters I can’t decide. Being a penghulu will be a new learning experience for me. But I am confident my 30 years of experience as headmaster in various schools and my past posting as headman had prepared me for this challenge,” he said.
Gani will replace the outgoing Michael Nyogiew, and his renewal of term after four years of service will be subject to his performance. Also present were Simon and Pemanca Daniel Teho.