KOTA KINABALU: Around 3,963 Sabah community leaders known as ketua adat will see an increase of up to 48% in their monthly allowance starting in September. Monthly allowances for district chiefs will be raised from RM2,700 to RM3,500, reflecting a 29.6% increase. Native chiefs, or ketua anak Negeri, will receive RM2,500 instead of RM1,700, marking a 47.1% increase. Native chief representatives, or wakil ketua anak Negeri, will have their allowance raised from RM900 to RM1,300, indicating a 44.4% increase. Village heads and kapitans will see the biggest increase, from RM700 to RM1,200, reflecting a 71.4% increase.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, this increment will benefit a total of 57 district chiefs, 272 ketua anak Negeri, 648 wakil ketua anak Negeri, 2,810 village heads, and 176 kapitans throughout the state. Hajiji stated that this increase was necessary as these community leaders often attend meetings, courses, and official functions outside their districts, including participating in Native Court hearings.
In a statement released on Sunday, Hajiji said, “The state government recognizes the crucial role of the ketua adat as grassroots leaders, and the raise in allowances is intended to motivate them to serve with integrity to the community. Furthermore, this revision is long overdue, as the last increase was made in 2013, and since then, their allowance has remained unchanged while the cost of living has risen.”
Hajiji emphasized that these increments reflect the government’s commitment to meeting the needs of everyone and providing quality service, in alignment with the development agenda under Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
