Village leaders should be democratically elected, says PBDS Youth

MIRI (Feb 6): Village heads as well as village security and development committee (JKKKs) members should be elected democratically by villagers, said Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Youth.

PBDS Youth wing chief Jerry Robert said the move is necessary to ensure transparency, fairness, and public confidence in grassroots governance.

According to him, village leadership positions should reflect the will of the people and not be determined solely by government or used for political advantage.

“Let the people choose their own leaders. The village belongs to the people, not to politics.

“Village heads and JKKK are the voice of the rakyat at the grassroots level, not political posts. Democratic elections held every two years would ensure justice, accountability, and strengthen trust in the village administration system,” he said in a statement.

He was commenting on issues between the Sarawak United People’s Party and Progressive Democratic Party over community leader appointments in Dudong.

According to him, the politicisation of such appointments could weaken village administration and create divisions within communities, adding that impartial and people-driven leadership was essential for effective grassroots governance.

He also rejected any form of biased appointment and emphasised that villages belong to the people and should not be treated as political assets.