KUCHING: Four assemblymen, including a Deputy Chief Minister, have come out to say that the handling of allowances for tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs) is a non-issue.
They sung the same tune as Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who clarified that all longhouse chiefs have received their allowances regularly in response to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin alleging that the state government had not paid allowances to some longhouse chiefs appointed by Pakatan Harapan representatives.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, who is also Baleh assemblyman, stated that all longhouse chiefs in Iban areas are elected by the people of the longhouse.
“Once elected, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak government will endorse their decision and their allowance will be paid accordingly,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
He viewed Zuraida’s assumption that longhouse chiefs are not being properly paid as incorrect.
“I suggest for her to get her facts right by talking to the correct government officials. Do not listen to rumours or to people who know very little of government procedures,” Masing advised.
Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu also concurred with Uggah’s statement, adding that the state government has been handling this matter very well with the current system.
“The federal minister seems to politicise the issue,” he noted.
“If Zuraida is concerned about Sarawakians, especially longhouse dwellers, please increase the local government authority’s budget to cover waste and sanitary services to all,” Rentap suggested.
Another representative, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, questioned: “Why make tuai rumah or ketua kampung (village head) an issue?”
He stated that an individual would have to undergo interviews, among other procedures, prior to being appointed a longhouse chief or village head.
“There is no political element involved. There was never an issue but people like to dwell on this and make it a big issue,” said Henry.
He felt that those appointed as longhouse chiefs and village heads are under the purview of the state government, and not federal.
“Zuraida should not have made a blanket statement without understanding and listening to the state administration,” Henry added.
Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan also expressed his agreement with Uggah’s statement.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Brodie has also voiced her support.
“You don’t react to just about any issue; hold your horses and make time to check and verify with the relevant authority, in this case the Sarawak government,” she said.
Doris stated that if Zuraida had enquired the state government first, she would have discovered that the Bintulu longhouse chiefs, who reported that they were not paid their allowances, were actually not officially recognised.
She reinforced that the state government also carried out appointments of longhouse chiefs professionally, ensuring that terms and conditions are followed accordingly.
“We have approximately 5,000 tuai rumah in Sarawak currently, and each receive a monthly salary of RM900,” Doris said.
