GRS should be grateful for village development committees, says Sabah Umno

 

Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir says there is no overlap between the existing village security and development committees and village development committees.

PETALING JAYA: A Sabah Umno leader has defended party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi against allegations of using a “divide and rule” strategy by establishing Madani village development committees (JKDMs) in the state.

Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir said the claims of JKDMs being set up to strengthen Umno’s presence there were unfounded.

Suhaimi, the Libaran MP, also denied any overlap between the existing village security and development committees (JKKKs) and JKDMs, which were established to develop the rural economy.

“Moreover, JKKKs alone are insufficient to serve thousands of villagers

“GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) should be grateful, not critical. This claim that its purpose is for Umno is baseless, as many appointees are not even Umno members,” Suhaimi told FMT.

Yesterday, Daily Express reported that GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai had raised concerns over the establishment of JKDMs, saying it disregards the role of the existing JKKKs under the auspices of the Sabah government.

He called on Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, to explain the decision to the people of Sabah whom he said perceived it as a “divide and rule” strategy aimed at strengthening Umno’s presence in the state.

Papar Umno chief Jamal Nerubi said the JKDMs were established as an initiative under Zahid’s ministry to eradicate hardcore poverty in Sabah, with eight districts categorised as the poorest and in need of immediate assistance.

“All allocations are from the federal government, without using state funds.

“The federal government, like the state, has the authority and responsibility to develop rural areas,” said Jamal, who is also Zahid’s political secretary.

JKDMs will also be established in Selangor, with top posts to be filled by state Umno leaders after 75 village community management council or village head positions were returned to the state government.

Selangor Umno chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin said the list of candidates for the positions had been submitted to him through the division chiefs. - FMT