Kota Kinabalu: DPM Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid again defended the controversial Madani Village Community Committees (JKDM), saying the initiative serves community welfare rather than creating political competition, especially in Sabah.
Speaking at the closing of the 2025 Madani Rural Leadership Empowerment Convention at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Tuesday, the Rural and Regional Development Minister addressed criticism surrounding JKDM’s establishment.
Ahmad Zahid said Sabah has the highest JKDM membership nationwide with 2,302 members, receiving RM11 million in allowances for the first phase this year.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});While acknowledging the allowance amount needs improvement, he indicated increases would depend on future electoral success.
“I know some question JKDM’s formation, claiming it is politically motivated or conflicts with existing Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK). But if it benefits the people, why not?” Ahmad Zahid said.
He clarified that JKDM members are not created to compete with anyone but to care for all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“If JKKK are the eyes that observe, JKDM are the hands that act. One monitors, one implements - both must work together to serve Sabah’s 3.7 million people,” he said.
He outlined JKDM’s grassroots role in addressing community needs, from helping with collapsed homes and supporting single mothers to finding employment opportunities for unemployed youths.
He pointed out the importance of maintaining updated community data through the Village Profile Data System for more effective service delivery.
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Sabah receives the highest development allocation among all states at over RM1.1 billion annually for various projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.