By Yussof J. Imbang
TONGONG; The positions of village head and chairman of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) in this district will not be filled through elections but rather determined by the elected representative in collaboration with district leadership.
Based on past experiences, elections by voting have not yielded significant benefits; instead, they have created divisions within the community itself, according to the Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah.
He told reporters this after officiating the closing of the Leadership Transformation Course for Outstanding Traditional Leaders in the Tongod district at the Simpang Entalibon Hall here on Tuesday.
“We have previously conducted elections for the village head and JKKK chairman through voting, but what happened was… if the election involves two or three contenders, divisions among two or three opposing groups will arise.
“From my experience over five terms as the elected representative in Kuamut, my findings from these elections have not contributed to harmony; instead, they have led to a split between the winning and losing groups.
“In my view, the most appropriate choice in the Kuamut State Assembly (DUN) area is through appointments based on their extensive experience, in addition to the appointed individuals being capable leaders,” he explained.
Masiung emphasized that a popular decision through voting does not necessarily create harmony within the community, as he has learned from past experiences.
The one-day course was organized by the Department of Native Affairs (JHEANS) and attended by 57 traditional leaders led by District Chief Josison Saidin, deputy native chief, and village heads in the Tongod district.
Also present were District Officer of Tongod Hadzlan Jablee, JHEANS Director Nordin Lossin, and District Police Chief Inspector Edwan Dollah.
