Starting Point
Mrs Thamarai is a member of the Jawatankuasa Pembangunan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JPKK), or Village Development and Security Committee, a national initiative aimed at promoting the development and ensuring the safety of villages across Malaysia. Operating at the grassroots level, JPKK addresses both the socio-economic development and security needs of rural communities.
The primary function of JPKK is to implement government policies and programmes that enhance the well-being of rural residents. This includes overseeing local infrastructure development, community services, and facilitating economic initiatives to improve livelihoods. In addition to these tasks, the committee plays a critical role in maintaining village safety and security by coordinating with local authorities, managing neighbourhood patrols, and addressing security concerns. Through collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organisations, JPKK ensures that rural communities benefit from essential services, economic opportunities, and a secure environment.
JPKK also plays a significant role in conflict resolution within the village, mediating disputes among community members. These conflicts may involve issues such as land disputes, family matters, or social tensions. The committee’s mediation efforts foster unity and cooperation within the community, providing a channel for concerns to be raised and addressed effectively. While JPKK’s interventions are generally inclusive, involving both men and women, there is no formal role specifically dedicated to female mediators, as seen in the Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita dan Keluarga (JPWK). However, women, often as community leaders or volunteers, frequently assume the role of mediators in family and community disputes, including domestic issues. These female leaders act as informal mediators, facilitating communication, offering support, and promoting peaceful resolutions within their neighbourhoods.
Peace Journey
The participant noted that in Penang, there is a prevalent mindset among underprivileged groups that ethnic and racial conflicts are significant and prone to escalation. One factor contributing to these tensions is the land acquisition process for development projects, which frequently excludes local communities, especially through the Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) channels. This exclusion has led some Malay and Indian groups to perceive these developments as potential sources of conflict. Without adequate engagement, these issues are at risk of escalating into substantial disputes.
Rapid housing development in Penang Island primarily caters to affluent Chinese and foreign buyers, such as Chinese nationals and Singaporeans. Consequently, local residents, particularly those in low-cost housing, have limited opportunities to purchase affordable homes. Many find themselves unable to live on the island, as affordable or low-cost housing is scarce, and most new developments consist of medium-cost housing beyond the financial reach of the underprivileged.
This situation has resulted in an economic conflict, where disparities in access to resources, particularly affordable housing, heighten tensions between different ethnic and social groups. For the participant, however, this conflict falls beyond their purview, as they typically handle domestic disputes, focusing on marital and family conflicts.
As members of the Village Development and Security Committee, these female community leaders play a crucial role in addressing emotional and psychological distress caused by extramarital relationships in their communities. They offer moral support and a non-judgmental space for individuals seeking advice. These mediators help foster mental and spiritual resilience, guiding individuals toward emotional stability. In cases involving domestic violence, they take further action by accompanying women to file reports.
In situations involving social media scams, female mediators act as facilitators, bridging the gap between victims and authorities. They assist victims in filing police reports and offer guidance on preventing future cybercrimes. Additionally, they raise community awareness about online threats, using their platforms to educate individuals on safeguarding their digital presence. This proactive approach not only addresses immediate concerns but also contributes to long-term societal resilience against cybercrime.
In both scenarios, female mediators highlight the value of their participation in peacebuilding, resolving conflicts and empowering individuals and communities with the knowledge and strength to effectively navigate challenges.
Success Stories
Although these women are deeply passionate about their roles in resolving community conflicts, particularly interpersonal disputes, as it allows them to reach out to and empower women, they feel that their position under the Village Development and Security Committee lacks structure, recognition, and authority. They believe their contributions are undervalued since their role is limited to offering advice and assisting survivors in connecting with the appropriate agencies, rather than being able to take more direct action.