KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has passed an amendment to the Rural Administration Ordinance which empowers a district officer or the local authorities to establish committees related to the Village Development and Safety Committee (JKKK) at district level.
State Rural Development minister Datuk Jahid Jahim said the bill, the Rural Administration (Amendment) Enactment 2023, is to strengthen the administration of the JKKK.
"This law also provides authority to district officers/local authorities to establish committees at the district level in terms of appointment, termination, disciplinary control, conducting meetings, preparing minutes of JKKK committee meetings, and disbursing allowances.
"The existence of this law will expedite the appointment of JKKK committees with the cooperation of all political party leaders who support it."
Jannie Lasimbang (DAP-Kapayan) said while she welcomed the amendment, such a committee should be done in such a way that communities fully support and endorse the chairman and members of the committee.
"For such a process, would the minister agree that the JKKK should be elected? Electing village administration units like the JKKK is a vital democratic process, fostering good governance and community development.
"In these grassroots elections, village residents choose representatives who understand their unique needs.
"This decentralised approach ensures responsiveness to local challenges, empowers citizens, instils a sense of ownership and accountability."
The bill was also debated by Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Gagasan-Sindumin), Datuk Seri Said Salleh Keruak (Umno-Usukan), Assafal Alian (Warisan-Tungku) and Jamil Hamzah (Warisan-Bugaya).
Earlier, the state legislative assembly sitting also passed the amendments to Syariah Courts Enactment 2004; Fatwa Enactment 2004: and Fees Enactment 1981.
The sitting also saw a majority of assemblymen supporting Datuk Bobbey Ah Fuang Suan to continue another term as a senator at Dewan Rakyat.
Bobbey was nominated by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.