KOTA KINABALU: Setting up federal village management security committees (JPKKP) seeks to correct any imbalance put in place by previous state administrations, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The Sabah Barisan chairman said that the committees, which come under the federal-level Rural and Regional Development Ministry, were to restore parity at district level after previous state administrations replaced leaders such as village chiefs, among other grassroots positions.
However, he also claimed that the state leadership, which supports the federal unity government, does not provide funds for Sabah Barisan leaders.
Bung said that was why they negotiated with the federal government to establish JPKKPs in Sabah to balance development needs for Sabahans.
He also said the validity of these committees was not in question amid the state government's objection to their creation.
"Take responsibility and the trust given, do not lose focus, if the state government does not recognise this appointment, the national government will," he said when handing over JPKKP appointment certificates for the Kemabong and Melalap state constituencies at the Datuk Seri Panglima Antanom Community Hall in Tenom on Saturday (Oct 6).
"The existence of JPKKPs in every village will further help communities, many of whom are poor and need assistance," he said.
Bung, who is also Kinabatangan MP and Lamag assemblyman, said the annual RM100,000 allocation for each committee will allow small projects and skills training for villagers to improve their socio-economic status.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister's political secretary Datuk Jamal Nerubi and Melalap assemblyman Datuk Peter Anthony, who is Parti KDM president, as senior state Umno leaders.
