Proposal to raise monthly allowance of community leaders
Published on: Thursday, November 24, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: THE Local Government and Housing Ministry will propose to the State Cabinet on the possibility of raising the monthly allowances for community leaders following a similar move by the Federal Government."However, it must be noted that in the peninsula, the post of village head and JKKK chairman are usually held by the same person, while in Sabah, the posts are held by two different individuals," said Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor during his winding-up speech.Currently, community leaders in the peninsula are paid a monthly allowance of RM800 and the amount will increase by RM100 starting next year.
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Meanwhile, in Sabah, village heads receive RM650 monthly where RM600 is paid by the Federal Government while RM50 is footed by the State Government.In terms of monthly allowances for District Chiefs (OKK) and Native Chiefs (KAN), Hajiji said the Government had already reviewed these in 2013 with OKKs now receiving RM2,700 monthly allowance while KAN receive RM1,700 a month."For now, there is no proposal to review again," he said.Commenting on the proposal by Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Bujang who asked the ministry to consider adding the quota of OKK in an area with equal composition of Muslim and non-Muslim population, Hajiji said the Government's policy sets that each district will only have one District Chief.
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"The purpose for this is to elevate the status of District Chief as a respectable and revered Customs Chief."It is undeniable that there are various ethnic groups in a district but they can always go to the Native Courts to resolve their problem through the appointment of Native Chiefs and their deputies who may come from different ethnic groups," he said.
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Replying to a proposal by Klias Assemblyman Datuk Seri Lajim Haji Ukin for the Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB) to construct more low-cost six-pillar homes, Hajiji said LPPB will no longer build this type of houses as they have already been replaced by low-cost terrace houses.He also denied allegations that PPR monthly rental had been increased from RM124 to RM300."Currently, the PPR monthly rental is between RM150 and RM200 to pay for various service costs such as waste disposal, fire insurance, sewerage, security and maintenance by the local authority," he said.He also promised to look into the complaint by Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing who said that there are certain areas in Tuaran that were not served by the Tuaran District Council.In the meantime, he said, his ministry had discussed with Bank Negara on the several issues raised by Api Api Assemblywoman Christina Liew who said housebuyers are finding it difficult to obtain housing loans, the increasing cost of construction materials and the skyrocketing house prices in the State."My ministry has created a House Price Review Committee to evaluate selling price before development permits can be issued. "At the same time, my ministry will discuss with other industry players such as Shareda, Bank Negara, construction materials operators, Statistics Department and other relevant departments and agencies to find a win-win solution so that these issues can be handled amicably," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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