By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 10: Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang has rejected claims of political interference in the appointment of community leaders (KMKK), particularly Tuai Rumah (longhouse chief) in the Dayak community.
In a statement, Gira was responding to Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) permanent chairman Dr John Brian Anthony’s call to end political interference in the appointment of Tuai Rumah, which he claimed has been a longstanding issue within the Dayak community.
“He (John Brian) should be well aware of the procedural framework that governs these appointments, which is transparent and community-based. These community leaders are appointed with careful consideration of their background and ability to serve the community effectively,” he said.
According to Gira, the procedure for the appointment of a Tuai Rumah is as follows:
- Selection is initiated through a voting process by the JKKK (Village Development and Security Committee) of the longhouse.
- The District Officer and the area’s Penghulu are present during the selection process as official witnesses.
- Any eligible individual may submit their name as a candidate for Tuai Rumah.
- Voting rights are extended to one or two individuals per family within the longhouse.
- The candidate with the highest number of votes wins. In case of a tie, a second round of voting is conducted.
- The meeting minutes, detailing the election, are prepared by the longhouse secretary and submitted to the District Office.
- The District Officer forwards the report to the Resident’s Office.
- The KMKK Panel convenes to deliberate and endorse the elected Tuai Rumah before submitting the name to the State Secretary for the official appointment letter.
“This process ensures that the power of selection remains with the community and that the role of elected representatives is limited to facilitating the process, not dictating it.
“Therefore, I categorically reject any suggestion that I, as a politician and ADUN (assemblyperson), have the final say or interfere in the appointment of KMKK.
“The integrity of the process must be respected, and misleading statements must be corrected to preserve public trust in our democratic systems,” he said. — DayakDaily
