PENAMPANG: Kapayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang has announced a financial boost for local development committees in a bid to empower grassroots governance.
She said, as key strategic partners in managing and developing villages, housing estates, and commercial areas, each Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and Urban Development Committee (JKDB) will receive budget allocation of RM1,000 to carry out small-scale activities in their respective areas.
“A special fund of RM25,000 was also set aside for urgent clean-up efforts that require special equipment or machinery such as grass cutting or drainage cleaning,” she said during an official meeting with all JKKK and JKDB chairpersons at Balai Raya Kampung Koidupan, recently.
UPPM Kapayan also attended the meeting, playing an active role in the discussions.
Jannie said both JKKK and JKDB serve as crucial links between the people and the government, acting as the frontline in delivering information, assistance and support to the community. As such, she is committed to continuously advocating for increased funding and better welfare for these committees.
“I will continue to push the government to increase meeting allowances and to ensure consistent payments.
“The salary of Village Chiefs has already been raised. So the JKKK allowances also need to be reviewed and increased to match the responsibility they carry,” she said.
She hoped all JKKKs and JKDB in the Kapayan constituency would continue to serve with high commitment for the wellbeing of Kapayan residents.
“Your role is important. I will continue to support you in terms of policy and resources,” she said.
Meanwhile, the meeting also focused on safety and squatter settlement issues as 12 squatter areas were identified in Penampang with concerns over smuggling of illegal goods and open sales of radioactive waste.
“Strict monitoring by JKKKs and related agencies will be implemented to address the risks to community safety,” she said.
