KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has announced an increment of monthly allowance for 3,963 community leaders, effective next month.
The monthly allowance for district chiefs will be raised to RM3,500 from RM2,700. Similarly, will receive RM2,500, up from RM1,700, while native chief representatives will see an increase to RM1,300 from RM900.
Additionally, village heads and Kapitans will receive RM1,200, up from RM700.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the justification for this increment is the recognition of the pivotal role that community leaders play within their communities.
This recognition, he said, encompasses their responsibilities as judges in the native court as well as to cover the costs associated with attending meetings, courses, and official functions.
"The state government acknowledges the crucial role of the ketua adat as grassroots leaders, and this raise aims to inspire them to serve the community with integrity.
"Furthermore, the adjustment is long overdue, as the last upward revision was done in 2013," he said in a statement.
He highlighted that the community leaders' allowance has remained stagnant since then, despite the rising cost of living.
"This decision underscores the government's unwavering commitment to fulfilling the needs of all citizens by delivering quality services," he added.