KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak has suggested that “village governments” be officially acknowledged as a fourth tier of administration, complete with defined authority and responsibilities.
FMT reported that Salleh also recommended the introduction and approval of a new enactment on “Kerajaan Desa” by the state legislative assembly, rather than depending solely on administrative arrangements or political appointments.
In a Facebook post, the Sabah UMNO treasurer pointed out that Malaysia currently functions under three levels of government – federal, state, and local – yet many everyday issues impacting the populace remain unresolved “because decision-making is frequently too far removed from village communities”.
He mentioned that Tamparuli’s initiative to conduct simultaneous village elections across 94 villages was not merely a record-setting endeavour but also indicative of an increasing recognition that governance at the grassroots level needs to be more organised, inclusive, and accountable.
This progress is closely linked to the Kerajaan Desa concept that I previously proposed.
“Appropriate legislation would grant legal authority, accountability, and continuity to village governance. It would also guarantee that village institutions stay functional and effective, irrespective of political shifts,” he stated.
Salleh emphasised that leaders elected directly by residents would possess a stronger mandate and be more answerable to the community rather than solely to political interests.
