Numpang (seated third left) is seen at the press conference with some of the identified Kota Samarahan MPKK committee members.
KUCHING: A total of 51 Village Community Management Councils (MPKK) have been identified in the Kota Samarahan parliamentary constituency.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Kota Samarahan communication chief Numpang Suntai said the names of the MPKK committee members would be submitted to the state PKR for discussions with other Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties, while the appointments would be made by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Kota Samarahan parliamentary constituency consists of the Asajaya, Muara Tuang, and Stakan state constituencies.
Numpang said in Asajaya and Muara Tuang, all the MPKK committee members were recommended by PKR.
“This is with the agreement of the other representatives of other PH component parties namely, (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) Bersatu and (Parti Amanah Negara) Amanah.
“There is no known (Democratic Action Party) DAP party organisation in these two state constituencies,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Numpang said Stakan constituency is unique compared to the other two as it is a mix of semi-urban and has a considerable number of native villages.
The Stakan PKR chairman said in the constituency, PKR has identified committee members of MPKK for Merdang Gayam, Merdang Lumut, Sungai Empit, Samarindah, Sri Arjuna, Pangkalan Kuap, Binyu, Bukit Berangan, Stakan Melayu, RPR Batu 12, Kampung Jawa Lot, and Kampung Sungai Pendam.
He said in Merdang Lumut and Sungai Empit, DAP members were also included in the MPKK line-up.
Numpang reiterated that MPKK would not replace existing ketua kampung or tuai rumah.
“The federal government respects the rights of the people. The adat, though not written, is recognised and upheld by the Federal Constitution.
“The MPKK is established to be the communication channel between the federal government and the rakyat in the village,” he explained.
He claimed federal initiatives could not be implemented effectively in Sarawak as it was prevented by a Sarawak government directive that did not allow village chiefs and community leaders to participate in PH government sponsored programmes.