Answer to Oral Question PL37

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📖 Reading time: 4 minutes
📊 Word count: 728 words

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI SALLEH BOSTAMAN BIN HAJI ZAINAL ABIDIN

QUESTION:

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI SALLEH BOSTAMAN BIN HAJI ZAINAL ABIDIN asks the MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS to state the aspirations of MOHA to empower community development and the delivery of quality services requiring visionary leaders who are knowledgeable, understand local developments, are active in long-term planning, and reside with the community they lead. To what extent is the Ministry's policy to identify these potential leaders integrated into the leadership succession plans such as District Officers and Penghulu, making residency a primary selection condition.

YANG BERHORMAT MENTERI HAL EHWAL DALAM NEGERI

ANSWER:

Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members,

1. Alhamdulillah, since April 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with District Departments and the Institution of Mukim Penghulu and Village Head, has introduced and implemented Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) among Mukim Penghulus and Village Heads. These aim to promote a more directed, structured, and achievement-oriented execution of duties and responsibilities. These Key Performance Indicators are used to measure the performance or achievement level of each Mukim Penghulu and Village Head as the eyes, ears, and mouth of the Government and the residents of Mukim and Village, aligning with the Ministry of Home Affairs Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and District Departments' planning. The Key Performance Indicators focus on aspects of Leadership and Management; Welfare of Mukim and Village residents; Safety in Mukim and Village; Infrastructure Readiness; and Economy.

2. Additionally, the Ministry has been authorized to implement the Human Resource Competency Framework for Mukim Penghulu and Village Head (HRCF PMKK) aimed at identifying competency gaps and subsequently assisting in the formulation of a structured and directed capacity development program. Furthermore, this framework will enhance the recruitment process of Mukim Penghulu and Village Head based on competency, which includes Core competencies essential for every Mukim Penghulu and Village Head aligned with the core values of the Ministry of Home Affairs; Leadership Competency considering Mukim Penghulu and Village Head as grassroots leaders; and Functional Competency to help Mukim Penghulu and Village Head in efficiently and effectively carrying out their duties and responsibilities.

3. Kaola is pleased to share that the Ministry of Home Affairs has also conducted a Self-Assessment of 165 Mukim Penghulus and Village Heads nationwide based on the aforementioned Human Resource Competency Framework. The assessment results found that 22 percent, or 36 Mukim Penghulus and Village Heads, rated their competency level as nearly ready; 58 percent or 96 persons as potential; while 20 percent or 33 persons exceeded expectations.

4. Under Phase 4, item 6 for Mukim Penghulu and Phase 4, item 7 for Village Head in the Scheme of Mukim Penghulu and Village Head Service, it is preconditioned that any applicant for Mukim Penghulu or Village Head must have resided in their respective mukim or village for not less than two (2) years prior to the nomination date. To date, all appointed Mukim Penghulus and Village Heads are residing in the mukim and village where they are appointed.

5. Kaola is also pleased to share that all District Officers indeed reside in the district where they are assigned, a matter that has been previously raised and answered in this distinguished Council and during consultation sessions.

6. On this occasion, Kaola wishes to share the status of filling vacant Mukim Penghulu and Village Head positions nationwide, where from 2022 until December 2024, 15 out of 31 Mukim Penghulu positions and 85 out of 190 Village Head positions have been permanently filled. Mukim Penghulu and Village Head Election and Selection Councils are also actively conducted, with 35 councils held throughout 2024 and 2 similar councils conducted in the first two months of 2025.

7. However, based on observations since 2022 up to now, the attendance rate of mukim or village residents as voters at the election and selection councils of Mukim Penghulu and Village Head remains low. According to the Mukim Penghulu and Village Head Scheme, it is outlined that an election council must have a voter turnout of not less than one-third (1/3) of registered voters to enable elected candidates to be supported for appointment. Therefore, Kaola is pleased to urge every village resident to play their role and fulfill their respective responsibilities in voting for candidates for Mukim Penghulu and Village Head under their constituency.

That's all Kaola can convey in answering the question concerned.

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua.