A group photo taken during the event.
KUCHING (March 29): Village chiefs have been encouraged to take the lead in resolving minor community issues such as family disputes, land boundaries, and customary matters within their respective areas.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, advised that they consult local community leaders, such as the Penghulu or District Officer, when seeking resolutions.
He made these remarks while presenting certificates to 56 village chiefs and Penghulus who recently completed a grassroots leadership course in Balai Ringin.
The programme was organised by the Pantu District Office in collaboration with the Balai Ringin Sub-District Office.
Snowdan, who is also the Balai Ringin assemblyman, emphasised that the certificates serve as a form of empowerment, enabling community leaders to assist the government in resolving local issues within their jurisdiction.
By taking on this role, they help ease the burden of the District Office and other government agencies, particularly in facilitating development projects such as road construction and other infrastructure initiatives, he said.
However, he cautioned village chiefs to exercise their authority responsibly and avoid any misuse of power.
He also urged them to enhance their efficiency by becoming proficient in information technology (IT) and keeping records of community issues in a notebook for better tracking and resolution.
Additionally, Snowdan stressed the importance of Village Security and Development Committees (JKKK) holding regular meetings to update residents on key developments and decisions.
The event also featured a workshop attended by approximately 450 JKKK members from the Pantu District.