MEN, according to the stereotype, make better leaders than women despite the educational strides made by the latter and the assumption persists to this day.

Kg Chempaka Selangor new village chief Teressa Lim Yeng Fah has faced many bitter challenges since assuming her position in July 2012.

However, with her indefatigable spirit, she has made an impression on the village of more than 1,000 households, proving that women can lead as well as men.

Lim shared with The Malaysian Insight the difficulties she faced when she was first appointed to the post.

“From the start, I was scrutinised. I think they underestimated me because I’m a woman. I even heard people taking bets that I would disappear after three months in the post,” Lim said.

Lim, however, continued as village chief for seven years instead of the wagered three months, making her critics eat their own words.

“Sacrifices had to be made and you cannot respond to every issue raised. Just do what needs to be done. If you think something is right, you just need to do it, forget what others are saying, then you will succeed.”

Kg Chempaka Selangor falls under the former Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary constituency, which was won by DAP’s Tony Pua in the 2008 general election, defeating Barisan Nasional’s Chew Mei Fun, who was from MCA.

After being appointed to the post, Lim was inundated with phone calls from villagers.

“Even if there was a minor accident in the new village, MCA members will call me and ask me to take a look,” she said, citing an example.

Even if the incident occurred in the middle of the night, she responded to it anyway and visited the scene to know the situation better before lodging a police report.

However, the callers then demanded to know why Lim, as the village chief, was just standing around.

“It was just a minor accident caused by drink driving, nobody was injured. I’m not a police officer or a doctor but was called to the scene, so I felt helpless when I was there.”

Facing constant criticism, she had to remind herself not to take such matters to heart and there are more important things to do.

“Some people talk behind your back because they are jealous of you. Don’t bother with them, just do your best.”

Another challenge Lim faced was a lack of administrative background. She didn’t participate in any community activity before either, so she had to learn everything from scratch after she became village chief.

Selangor named Lim as village chief, not because of her sex, but to replace a problematic incumbent in 2012. Lim’s appointment was on the recommendation of villagers.

Lim said she didn’t dare inform her parents when she was appointed but her family later found out and asked her “Do you have the time to do this?”

“You can imagine how difficult this was. I had no idea how to go about my business.”

Lim said the village committee was initially unenthusiastic about her appointment and she had had to perform her duties alone.

It was only after some time that villagers noted her hardworking attitude and more started to assist her and serve.

“Some who came forward to help were hoping to gain benefits but they saw how hard I was working and decided to contribute as well. Eventually, we are all working for the benefit of the community.”

Selangor currently has 77 new villages, fishing villages and reorganised villages in total. The villages are managed by the Village Development and Security Task Force (JKKK), which were rebranded as the Village Community Management Council (MPKK).

There are 613 new villages throughout the country, with the highest number in Perak (158) followed by Johor (124). – August 12, 2019.