TENOM: A total of 82 Chairmen of Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) from the Melalap State Assembly (DUN) constituency received their appointment letters at a ceremony held at Hotel Perkasa Tenom today.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, who is also the ADUN for Melalap, stated that the appointments followed a rigorous selection process to ensure only the best candidates were chosen to lead their communities at village level.
“Today, we have presented appointment letters to all 82 JKKK chairmen in the Melalap DUN area.”
“We extend our thanks to the Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Rubin Balang, and the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, for approving these appointments, which underwent stringent vetting,” he told reporters after the event.
Jamawi explained that candidates were nominated by their village communities before being invited for interviews by a special committee.
He stressed that this approach is essential to appoint leaders who command respect and can effectively represent grassroots voices.
Jamawi also reminded the new JKKK chairmen to collaborate with their predecessors to ensure continuity in village development plans.
“I have instructed all JKKK chairmen to meet and consult with their predecessors so that each village’s development plans can continue seamlessly,” he said.
He emphasised that all JKKK chairmen must serve the entire community, regardless of political affiliations.
“We no longer want village issues labelled by party lines or affiliations; today, we work for all the people of Melalap,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jamawi said his office will continue strengthening village administration, including appointments at the Native Court, Native Chief, Deputy Native Chief, and Village Chief levels.
He noted that the Melalap ++State Assemblyman Service Centre will conduct tours to every Polling District Centre (PDM) and sub-district to assess local development needs.
“We will go to the ground ourselves to review development plans, including paddy field irrigation systems, village roads, and farm roads, which we aim to complete within five years,” he said.
With the cooperation of the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) and district administration, he is confident that Melalap’s village leadership can become a model for the state.
On another note, Jamawi invited the public to attend the Tenom district and Kemabong sub-district Kaamatan Festival on 9 May at the Tenom Community Hall.
He highlighted various attractions, including exhibitions, sales, and official programmes throughout the celebrations.
“Don’t miss the Kitchen Garden concept exhibition by the ministry from 6 to 9 May. Plenty of prizes are available, including crop seeds, fish fingerlings, chickens, ducks, and goats.”
“I invite everyone from Tenom, Kemabong, Melalap, and surrounding areas to join and celebrate,” he said.
Also present were Tenom District Officer Alexander Liew; Assistant District Officers Dr Zulasri Pitting (Development) and Marcellus Joanes (Administration); Melalap DUN Community Development Leader (PPM) Denesly Justin; the District Chief, represented by Patrick Gantiu; Melalap DUN Native Affairs Officer (KAN); speakers; and officers from the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) and the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat.
Afterwards, at a separate event, Jamawi held a meeting with the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) staff.-pr/BNN
