SOME 3,963 community leaders (Ketua Adat) in Sabah will get an average of 48 per cent increase in monthly allowance, beginning September this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that the monthly allowance for District Chiefs will be raised to RM3,500 from RM2,700 (29.6pc increase), Native Chiefs (Ketua Anak Negeri) to RM2,500 from RM1,700 (47.1pc), Native Chief Representatives (Wakil Ketua Anak Negeri) to RM1,300 from RM900 (44.4pc), Village Heads and Kapitans to RM1,200 from RM700 (71.4pc).
The move will benefit 57 District Chiefs, 272 Native Chiefs, 648 Native Chief Representatives, 2,810 Village Heads and 176 Kapitans throughout the State.
Among the justifications for the increase is the recognition of the esteemed position of the Ketua Adat in the community, including their role as judges in the Native Court and to cover their expenses while attending meetings, courses and official functions outside the district.
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“Furthermore, it has been long overdue with the last upward revision done in 2013. Their allowance has remained unchanged since then while the cost of living has risen,” he said at a meet-and-greet session with Tawau and Kalabakan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) leaders and members in Tawau on Aug 27.
“This is a testament to the Government’s commitment to meeting the needs of everyone in providing quality service, in line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya aspirations,” said the Chief Minister.
During the session earlier, Hajiji urged the Gagasan Rakyat leadership at all levels to streamline their respective divisions in preparation for the coming state election.
Hajiji, who is also the Gagasan Rakyat President, said the most important is to increase party membership, in addition to establishing party branches in all areas.
“Currently, the party has more than 200,000 members and by the end of this year, the membership will reach 300,000. I am confident that after the general assembly is over, the party will emerge bigger and stronger,” said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman.
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