The allowance for community leaders should be raised equivalent to the increase of minimum wage of RM1,500 per month, said Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira.
He said at present, the current allowance for temenggong, pemanca, tuai rumah and ketua kampung is set at less than RM1,500 per month.
“Given their duties to the community, these groups should receive their deserving amount of allowance.
“Therefore, I would like to appeal to the government to increase the salary of community leaders to at least the minimum wage of RM1,500 per month,” he said.
He said this in his debate speech on the 2024 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Friday.
He added some road projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) at his constituency must proceed without delay.
“It is no exaggeration to say that some of our elected representatives here especially those in the rural areas, just like myself in Tamin, still need to trek over hills, traverse rivers and travel in 4WD vehicles through logging roads or even take an helicopter to get to a longhouse or settlement in the interior in order to serve our constituents.
“The sustainable living and wellbeing of a community are highly dependent on access to basic facilities including infrastructure, electricity supply and clean water.
“We must admit that it is not easy to provide comprehensive and adequate basic facilities to every nook and cranny of the rural areas, especially in Sarawak whose populations are scattered throughout villages and longhouses.
“Hence, I hope the proposed road constructions and plans in Selangau including my constituency Tamin under the 12MP will proceed without delay,” he said.
Gira said the projects proposed are the new Jalan Ng Baoh/Ng Tamin/Stapang Bahagian Mukah, new road of Rh Seli/Rh Emong Ulu Mukah Selangau, upgrading of Jalan Sepudun Balingian Selangau, upgrading of Jalan Ng Sekuau to SK Pakoh Ulu Oya Selangau and proposed new Jalan Ng Pakoh/Rh Enjah Bunau Oya Selangau.
