The proposal comes in the usual tone - it's better to elect than to appoint.

When such a proposal or suggestion comes from the opposition, the government is not likely to sit up and take notice, let alone gets down to implementing it. Nonetheless, that does not stop opposition leaders from making their point.

Yesterday, Sarawak DAP deputy chairperson Chiew Chin Sing continued to register a pointer - that it is better to have elected than appointed community chiefs and headmen.

Why?

So that they would strive to improve the quality of their services and be more accountable to the people.

Chiew, the sole opposition state assemblyperson in Sarawak's 62-member legislative assembly, said, "community leaders must understand their role in society, and that they are to serve both the government and opposition".

"As such, they must have the genuine desire to be community leaders, knowing what they are required to do and then apply for the post, instead of being appointed like in the old days of the colonial government."

Sole opposition voice

Chiew was the only dissenting voice when the Community Chiefs and Headmen Bill 2004 was debated at the state assembly yesterday to regulate the appointment and tenure of office and to specify the duties of community chiefs and headmen.

Community chiefs cover temenggong, pemanca and penghulu and headmen cover ketua kaum or ketua kampung or tuan kampung or tuai rumah or tuai uma or kapitan covering all communities in the state.

Chiew said it would be better if aspiring community chiefs and headmen could come out to the open and stand to be elected to the posts.

"Once elected, they must know how to champion the people's rights and must know, at the same time, how to address their needs."

Chiew (DAP-Kidurong) said, "When a community leader is elected by the people, he will have to win votes and that means meeting up with the people extensively, understanding their problems and needs thoroughly and be always available and accountable to the people."

"Naturally his quality of service will improve as he strives to do better and better as he is aware that he will be voted out if he is not doing his job."

"At the end of the term, he will have to stand in front of the people again and submit his report card for re-consideration for re-election by the people if he wants to continue."

Serve both sides

Chiew said his interpretation of "an elected community leader is one who is good for both the ruling and the opposition party because he will need them both if he wants to continue on with his leadership position."

He said "the appointment of a community chief or a headman in the past has always been political; so and so is appointed because he is a committee member of the supreme council or the central working committee of a political party."

"And this has to change because more often than not the appointed chief or headman is only there to safeguard the political interest of the ruling party responsible for his appointment."

The DAP leader claimed that "some community leaders are even afraid to associate with the opposition or anybody seen close to the opposition."

"The whole thing then become too political, especially during election time until the whole meaning and role of being a community leader in our society is forgotten and all they can remember is the Barisan National," he added.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.