Appointment Of Village Head Strengthens Governance, Drives Development For Lepo K Community
MARUDI: The appointment of the new Village Head for the Kenyah Lepo K community in Long Banga serves as a vital catalyst in strengthening community governance and driving more organised development in the Baram interior.
Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and Mulu Assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala said that appointing leadership from within the community is a strategic step to ensure village administration is more responsive and meets local needs.
According to him, Lepo K was previously under the administration of the Long Banga Village Head, but having its own dedicated Village Head allows for more focused and effective management.
“Differences in customs and culture between the Kenyah and Saban communities make local leadership an essential element in ensuring harmony and smooth administrative affairs,” he said.
He made these remarks during the appointment ceremony of the Lepo K Village Head in Long Banga.
He added that the role of Community and Village Leaders (KMKK) is increasingly significant as drivers of rural development, serving not only as links between the government and the people but also as leaders who ensure government policies translate into actual benefits for the community.
He emphasised that a Village Head must act as a facilitator for issue resolution, a catalyst for unity, and an effective communicator of government information.
Datuk Gerawat expressed confidence that the new Village Head, Sally Bungan Bat, is capable of fulfilling these responsibilities well with the support of the community and local leadership.
Regarding development, he stressed that the Sarawak Government remains committed to accelerating infrastructure implementation in interior areas, including Long Banga and Lepo K, specifically by upgrading logging roads into safer, high-quality roads.
As initial support, he presented a grant of RM7,000 from the Mulu Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocation to the Lepo K Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK). — UKASnews
