Dennis (left) presents a souvenir to Anyi.
MIRI: Community leaders should update the profile of their village or longhouse accurately.
This advice came from Baram MP Anyi Ngau during a seminar for community leaders and chairman of the village development and safety committee including associations and organisations under Telang Usan constituency yesterday.
Around 300 community and grassroots leaders from Telang Usan attended the seminar held at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club here yesterday.
Present were Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women and Youth wings chairmen Cr Margaret Nawan and Cr Dominic Nyurang, and political Secretary to the chief minister, Charles Balang Seling.
“It’s important for you to adapt to new and modern administration and management of the community, kampong/ longhouse under you. Whatever decision or steps you take must be based on native and customary laws, rules and regulations,” he advised.
Among the modern administration and management they should incorporate are standard operation procedure (SOP) and key performance index (KPI) to measure performance and success of development programmes and projects implemented.
“You are the bridge between the people and government and the focal point for the people, government agencies and bodies. With the modern administrative style and precise data, it would be easy to implement development programmes and projects in your kampong/longhouse.”
Anyi said they must accept the challenge to extend development programmes and activities to the interior such as Telang Usan or Baram that have rugged geography and topography.
He said socio-economic development programmes charted would remain plans without emphasis on human capital development.
“Being a community leader and grassroot leader is not easy so don’t accept the appointment just to be a ‘somebody’ in the community. It’s a big challenge if you are not prepared to make sacrifices and the effort to achieve the goals set,” he said.
The MP reminded them to be fair, not taking sides or favouring certain groups, family members, relatives or friends.
“To get the support and cooperation of the community, you must be open-minded in your leadership approach so as not to be seen as a dictator,” said Anyi.