Najib reminds penghulus to be fair and impartial
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has reminded all penghulu and penggawa to act impartially without favouring any faction when going about their duties.
The prime minister said that as community leaders, they played a very important role as the link between the government and the people to ensure that every government policy benefited the target groups.
He said they must be able to feel the pulse of the people, be friendly to the people and must know how to resolve the problems of the people.
“This is what I hope for; I want a government that has good intentions but because of its delivery system, it is not reaching the target groups.
“The role of the penghulu is to ensure that the people in the respective mukims receive government assistance such as the BR1M programme. And if there are things that the government has not implemented, the penghulu can inform the government through certain channels,” he said when closing the seminar “Empowering the Peninsular Malaysia Penghulu/Penggawa Institution with the Prime Minister”, here today.
Najib (picture) also wanted them to work closely with their elected representatives to resolve the problems of the people.
He said that their fundamental role as penghulu, which had existed for so long, remained unchanged but the approach, style of thinking and action must be adapted according to changes with time.
“If in the past, administration was under the Sultanate, today’s government administration under the patronage of the Malay Rulers depends on the penghulu to play a role based on the premise that no one is closer to the people than the penghulu,” he said.
Najib also announced an allocation of RM500,000 for the Peninsular Malaysia Penghulu/Penggawa Association to enable the association to carry out its activities throughout the country.
On allowances for the penghulu and penggawa, the prime minister said he would raise the matter at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow and refer to the Public Service Department and the Finance Ministry. — Bernama
