MUKAH: Some 140 people in Dalat Constituency were honoured for their past and present contributions to the society and Sarawak at an appreciation dinner held at a hotel here recently.
Of the total, 55 were from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), some were newly-appointed community leaders and councillors while others were former councillors.
Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah presented the certificates to the recipients.
She said the recipients had taken care of the areas under their jurisdiction.
“The government recognises their contributions, whether they have completed their service or are currently in service,” she said.
Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman, said community leaders were selected according to the Sarawak Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
She said candidates for community leaders were interviewed by a panel of three interviewers comprising a District officer and two administrative officers.
She added candidates were evaluated on various criteria such as education, peoples’ choice, knowledge on customs, communication skill and community leadership.
On a related matter, Fatimah said Gabung Parti Sarawak (GPS) would object to the formation of Village Community Development Council (MPKK) in Sarawak, including in Dalat, because it was aimed to rule and divide and would thus create disharmony and disunity among the people.
She added as most grassroots objected to the presence of MPKK, the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led federal government had devised a new strategy by changing it to Federal Village Community Development Council (MPKKP).
“No matter how many times the name changes, the Sarawak government will not recognise the presence of MPKKP, because Sarawak has its rights which must be defended,” she added.
