A heart to serve people - The Star

Jul 21, 2008 By DERRICK VINESH

MONETARY reward is not the main reason for one to serve the community – this is what the state’s newly-appointed Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) chairmen say.

The 148 leaders, who were appointed for the 2008/09 term, have accepted their monthly allowances of only RM200, instead of RM600 as received by their predecessors.

Pepper Estate JKKK chairman Geoffrey Gan, 55, said under the previous state administration, JKKK chairmen used to receive an allowance of RM450 from the Federal Government and RM150 from the state government.

“We understand the financial situation of the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government and do not expect high allowances from them.

Lim sharing a light moment with Sungai Nibong JKKK chairman Ideris Othman (in white) and Kampung Seronok JKKK chairman Sharifah Nooryati Syed Ameruddin after presenting them the appointment letters.

“Our ultimate aim is to help people and not to seek fat allowances,” he said after Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had presented letters of appointment to the JKKK leaders at the Seberang Prai Municipal Council headquarters in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.

Gan, however, said he hoped the private sector and the public would help support JKKKs through cash and kind when they organised various community activities.

Bagan Ajam JKKK chairman Alias Wan Chek, 47, a businessman, said the JKKK post was a part-time job for him.

“I view this appointment as an honour to serve the people. I will do my best to help curb crime and immoral activities in my area,” he said.

Pantai Molek JKKK chairman Cheah Sze Phatt, 57, a businessman, said he hoped the state government would gradually increase the allowance.

“But we are very happy to serve the people,” he said.

Later, during a press conference, Lim said he was glad these leaders have placed sincerity to serve the people above their own interest.

Lim also announced that the monthly allowance for JKKK secretaries would be RM150, while RM10 would be given to every committee member who attended a meeting.

The state, he added, would also allocate RM1,000 to all JKKKs as annual administration costs.

Lim said the appointment of the Juru JKKK chairman had been temporarily deferred following a request from his deputy Dr P. Ramasamy.