KUCHING: The ability and wisdom of longhouse heads to manage the people under their care will determine whether a longhouse would progress or be left behind, said Native Laws and Customs Assistant Minister Datuk John Sikie Tayai.
He said that the role of the longhouse head is crucial in leading large groups of families in a longhouse.
Sikie stressed that the longhouse head must always communicate with the people to ensure that their problems are heard and brought to the attention of the relevant parties for it to be resolved.
“As a bridge between the government and the people, they (longhouse heads) should understand the government’s development policies. It is crucial that the government’s development policies reach the people effectively.
“Longhouse heads are entrusted by the government to carry out their duties as community leaders at the grassroots level as stated in the certificate of appointment,” he said at a dialogue session at Rumah Jubang Ilin, Pengkalan Lobang, Bawan, Mukah recently.
Sikie said with better understanding of the government’s development policies, the people would accept efforts to develop their areas as well as reject propaganda by the opposition.
At the event, Sikie announced a minor rural project (MRP) grant of RM20,000 and RM8,000 respectively to the longhouse’s village safety and development committee (JKKK) and its Women’s bureau.
