PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has suggested that every leader in the country, including himself, be responsible for looking after a village to have first-hand knowledge of the problems faced by the people, Bernama reports.

Speaking at an Aidilfitri gathering at Galeri Pejuang Cherok Tok Kun in Bukit Mertajam today, he said the proposal would involve the Cabinet, government leaders, senior civil servants and government-related companies (GLC).

Anwar added that the proposal would be tabled at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“We will start with Cherok Tok Kun. I pledge to take care of Cherok Tok Kun in Bukit Mertajam. “I will do it by calling all the community representatives in the village. They must then relate all the problems that they are facing.  

“Issues such as unemployment, being marginalised, hardcore poverty, dilapidated houses, and even drug problems, crimes, and education, especially on the need for TVET (technical and vocational education and training).  

“I will listen to all that the villagers want to share and then direct them to the people who are responsible,” he said.

Anwar described the proposal as the best way to resolve problems faced by local residents in villages across the country, in addition to district and government officers continuing to carry out their duties.

He is confident that the proposal would facilitate the streamlining of allocation given by the federal government, with the cooperation of village heads or representatives.

According to Anwar, the practice of every leader looking after a village would bear fruit because it would directly involve all ministers, top government leaders and GLCs in listening to the problems faced by the village communities under their care.

“If we have the chief secretary to the government and state secretaries, and gather them all, we will have 2,000 people of high posts and then we invite the companies.

“For example, the chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad and the executive director of Petronas. They will each look after their own village. They will go there, not as a Tan Sri, but as a local man to hear the problems of the people there. This way, it will be easier for them to try and resolve the issues,” he said.

Anwar also said that the proposal was a result of his meetings with the community leaders of Permatang Pauh and Cherok Tok Kun this morning. – May 5, 2024.