SIBU: Community leaders have been advised to remain impartial or neutral in discharging their duty.
Second Finance Minister and Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said they were not supposed to be actively involved in politics.
“They are under the state government, but the situation is different now that the state government has become the opposition at the federal level,” he said.
“You have to serve two masters in a way. You are appointed by the Sarawak government so you have to serve the government of the day, meaning the state government.
“You must also do the job, functions and responsibilities entrusted to you by the federal government,” he said before presenting appointment certificates to 34 community leaders and ‘ketua kaum’ under Bawang Assan and Pelawan state constituencies yesterday.
Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau and Pemanca Datuk Wong Kie Yik were among those who received their new appointment and service renewal certificates at the function at Sibu Resident Office.
Earlier, Wong advised the leaders to be courteous, approachable, responsible and efficient.
He also wanted them to be familiar with the functions of government departments and agencies, particularly District and Resident offices.
Acting Sibu Resident Wong Hee Seng and Sibu district officer Awang Yusof Awang Mostapha were also present.