PENAMPANG: Several Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairpersons in the district claim they are still waiting for their official appointment letters, three months after being elected to the posts.
Januarius @ Jacob Harry (pic), the elected JKKK Chairman for Kampung Tuunon/Takad Kolopis, questioned why Penampang JKKK chairpersons have not received formal letters of appointment while those in other districts have received theirs.
Jacob was selected as JKKK Chairman for Tuunon/Takad Kolopis in March.
He said to date he has not received any official letter from the local government authority.
“Over these three months, residents may lose confidence in us because they know the appointment letter is not yet issued.
“Villagers may think the elected chair is not doing the work, when the real constraint is the absence of the official document,” he said.
He said the delay has created administrative and practical problems for village governance, including:
- Leadership Vacuum: Village administration is now in limbo without a legally recognised head to make official decisions.
- Official Duties Blocked: The elected chair cannot chair meetings, certify residents’ documents or apply for development funds according to JKKK management procedures.
- Residents’ Welfare Affected: Emergency aid and safety complaints are stalled because there is no executive authority at the grassroots level.
“Therefore, I request an explanation on the status of the appointment letters and urge that the handover process be expedited to ensure continuity of village administration for the people’s wellbeing,” said Jacob.
He pointed out that JKKK chairpersons in the Melalap district already received their appointment letters, which were presented State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jawawi Jaafar a month ago.
“How about us in Penampang? When will we receive the letter so we can start our duties with confidence and effectively?” he asked.
The elected JKKK chairman for Kibabaig also confirmed he has not received his official appointment letter.
Jacob said he had submitted a letter of protest and formal complaint to Datuk Rubin Balang at the Ministry of Rural Development, asking that the issue be resolved to maintain villagers’ trust.
He said all chairpersons were elected through a voting process ordered by the new State Government on March 29.
“However, I still have not received the official appointment letter,” he said.
The lack of appointment letters leaves several Penampang villages without clear leadership at a time when grassroots support and quick decision-making are needed for development and community welfare.
