Occasionally, murmurs arise among villagers regarding the competence of their village heads (KKs) and community leaders. These murmurs have grown louder, particularly today, as many villagers are not only educated but also technologically adept and have exposure to the outside world.
The villagers desire village heads and community leaders who hold their positions not just for status but to be genuinely effective leaders. They understand that only competent leaders can effectively manage and drive progress in their villages.
Many of them have expressed disappointment with the selection of their village heads, claiming that they are mere rubber stamps. Compounding the issue is the fact that the village heads are only available in the village on weekends, if at all. This is because they still need to be gainfully employed.
The villagers hold not just the village heads accountable but also those who recommended them, including local elected representatives and relevant authorities.
They resign themselves to the situation if the village lacks suitable candidates or if no one else is willing to take on the responsibility. In such circumstances, they accept whoever is willing to take on the role without complaint.
This is not a recent development, but rather an enduring crisis that has persisted over time. However, I must clarify that not all villages are facing the same issue. I have witnessed and come across many competent village heads, but I have also encountered many “rubber stamp KKs.”
I am aware of many cases where I can confidently say that the KKs are highly competent. However, they often lack the time to fully fulfil their duties as KKs because they are simultaneously employed elsewhere to supplement their meagre KK allowance. Hence, their KK job becomes more of a part-time responsibility.
Many factors and issues are contributing to incompetent KKs, and I sympathize with the affected villages. The government, particularly the relevant authorities, cannot allow these problems to persist indefinitely, as they can be detrimental to the community.
To begin addressing these issues, the government must establish clear criteria for individuals aspiring to be community leaders.
These criteria should encompass a combination of qualities, skills, and academic qualifications.
Simultaneously, conducting salary reviews for appointed village heads and similar positions is imperative.
The KK plays a crucial role at the village level. Their duties and functions extend beyond conflict resolution and rubber-stamping. Competent KKs are also responsible for planning and facilitating progress within their villages.
They often work closely with local elected representatives and liaise with the local authorities on matters affecting the people’s livelihood, infrastructural development, and socio-economic progress.
Additionally, they must be knowledgeable and capable of effectively disseminating government policies to the people under their charge.
Considering their duties and functions, it is only fair to say that those eligible to be appointed as KKs must be individuals who are not only educated and committed to serving the people but also possess leadership and communication skills.
Furthermore, the government must review the allowances of KKs, as their tasks are not part-time but full-time responsibilities. Often, these duties even deprive them of their weekends.
Currently, the monthly allowance for community leaders is fixed at RM1,300.00, while KKs receive RM900.00. These amounts are even lower than the current monthly minimum wage of RM1,500.00.
Therefore, I don’t blame the KKs for needing to be gainfully employed, especially if they still have school-going children to support.
The RM900.00 allowance is barely enough to cover their costs when attending official functions with local elected representatives and fulfilling other official duties.
This doesn’t even include the need to give out gifts when invited to attend weddings, funerals, or birthday parties, among other events.
In short, the job of a KK is demanding not only in terms of time but also energy and finances. It is no wonder that many eligible and capable individuals refuse to be appointed as KKs or community leaders.
Therefore, aside from academic qualifications and leadership skills, one will not be able to perform their duties well if one also needs financial assistance.
If the government is serious about ensuring that our KKs are competent and able to fully focus on their assigned tasks, a review of their allowances is imperative.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
