By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 7: Any revision of salaries or allowances for community leaders must be approached with caution to prevent discord and division within communities, says Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief, Dato Snowdan Lawan.
Snowdan emphasised that such considerations should also address concerns about attracting too many individuals aspiring to become community leaders.
“We have to ensure that the allowances are commensurate with the responsibilities these leaders carry,” he said in a statement today.
He noted that from the government’s perspective, increasing these allowances involves long-term fiscal and financial implications, as Sarawak currently has 7,592 community leaders and 6,921 Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) secretaries on its payroll—a number that continues to grow annually.
Snowdan highlighted that many current community leaders are retired government employees with significant experience and educational qualifications, such as diplomas or degrees.
“Should we implement fixed allowances or introduce a graded scale system for these leaders?” he queried, pointing out that the new generation of community leaders is gradually replacing the older generation, ensuring the preservation of community values, customs, and traditions.
Addressing the need for an increase in allowances, Snowdan acknowledged that such a revision is timely, given the rising cost of living and the growing challenges faced by community leaders in their roles.
“As Sarawak moves aggressively toward achieving developed state status by 2030, these community leaders are pivotal in disseminating government policies and overseeing the implementation of projects.
“They frequently travel, attend meetings, engage with government agencies, and often sacrifice their time and livelihoods, such as tending to farms, to serve their communities,” he explained. — DayakDaily
