Community leaders reminded to fulfil responsibilities with sincerity, integrity

SIBU (Feb 9): Community leaders are reminded to fully understand the responsibilities and trust entrusted to them after being given the mandate by the people to lead, said Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.

He said their selection, particularly that of ‘ketua kaum’ in longhouses, was based on the majority and all parties must be open-hearted in accepting the outcome.

“For example, if you lost in the election to pick a new tuai rumah, you must have the courage to admit defeat. It shows that the people have yet to have their confidence in you as their leader, and should also serve as a lesson to improve yourself.

“Do not go around instigating the people and causing a split among the longhouse residents,” he said before witnessing the presentation of appointment certificates to 83 community leaders from Dudong, Bawang Assan and Matu here yesterday.

The Dudong assemblyman said such immature actions would only erode public trust and make it difficult for the government to accept an individual as a new leader in the area.

“Everything has its time. If the time has not yet come, you must be patient. Continue learning and carry out your duties to the best of your ability. Do not merely seek positions while refusing to shoulder responsibility,” he stressed.

Tiong also noted some community leaders had lost the trust of the people due to their failure to perform their duties, including not assisting residents during disasters such as floods and showing favouritism based on political affiliations.

“As community and ethnic leaders, we must be fair to all regardless of background or political party. State laws clearly require services to be provided to all citizens. Every complaint or request for assistance from the public must be given due attention and efforts made to resolve them.

“Leadership should not be used as a platform for publicity or popularity, but must be carried out with sincerity and integrity,” he said.

Also present were Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and Sibu Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman.