SIBU: Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew has urged some parties not to politicise the appointment of community leaders (KMKK) in Sibu.
He said that recently, there was a dispute over the appointments which caused dissatisfaction among certain parties.
He explained that each selection made was based on the criteria and qualifications assessed by the Sibu District KMKK Appointment Special Committee chaired by the Sibu Resident.
According to him, the selection of criteria as well as the KMKK appointment meeting in Sibu were last held in February.
Lau said the committee members comprised five people. He and a friend represented Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) while there were two representatives from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and one from the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
“Also involved in the committee are Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee as committee advisor, Sibu Division acting Resident Wong Hee Sieng as committee chairman and assisted by Sibu District Officer Suhaili Mohammed,” he said.
Lau added there was no question of SUPP monopolising the appointments because each political party had sent a list of candidates either from the association or from the opposition party.
He explained this in a statement on Sunday (June 6) to dispel allegations by some parties in a previous news portal report.
Lau explained that the committee responsible for the appointment of KMKK in Sibu must follow certain guidelines in the selection of KMKK candidates.
He said the candidates must be under 70 years old (except for new appointments), be permanent residents in the areas to be served and must be fluent in either Bahasa Malaysia or English.
To ensure that the selection process was carried out objectively, all candidates were called for an interview conducted by a panel of Sibu District Officers before the committee meeting in February.
“The results of the interviews were brought to our committee meeting for discussion and approval,” he said.
Lau further explained all committee members must agree that the best candidates (having the three criteria) would be appointed as KMKK.
