(From left) Jack witnesses Sikie presenting an MRP cheque to a JKKK representative during the simple ceremony at Rumah Ado.
BINTULU (July 5): Longhouse chieftains are reminded to be more responsible and transparent in carrying out their duties, especially those involving the management of financial grants given by the state government.
In this regard, Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) Datuk John Sikie Tayai warns that should any of them is found to have been misusing the funds, their appointment as longhouse chieftains would be revoked.
“I really hope that such thing would not happen here as every job that you are tasked with is under the close monitoring of the district office,” he said in a brief remark after symbolically handing over Minor Rural Project (MRP) cheques worth a total of RM239,000 to seven village security and development committees (JKKKs) in Tatau last Saturday.
Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat was also present at the simple ceremony, which took place at Rumah Ado in Lubok Kubong.
Adding on, Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman, said any government’s allocation must be utilised only for the development of longhouses.
“It is also important for the chieftains to inform their fellow longhouse folk the actual amount received under MRP.
“Meetings must be carried out by the JKKKs to discuss on the most viable ways to utilise these funds for the benefit of their community,” he added.
Meanwhile, the MRP grants given out by Sikie were meant for the JKKKs of Rumah Ado, Rumah Billy, Rumah Nyuan, Rumah Layang, Rumah Sujang, Rumah Malo and Rumah Ta’a – all from Sungai Kakus in Tatau.
Adding on, Sikie called upon other JKKKs in his constituency, which had yet to receive their MRP cheques, to be patient.
“The distribution of these cheques is being done in stages, as Kakus is a vast area that reaches up to Mukah, Selangau, Long Beyak and Ulu Anap – involving over 400 longhouses,” he pointed out.