The Selangor government is mulling the possibility of holding elections for "ketua kampung" (village chiefs) instead of appointing them, the state assembly was told today.

State exco Yaakop Sapari said the state government regarded the elections as a mechanism which could be applied to better serve the people.

"The proposal, which is still under study, will enable villagers to elect their own headmen based on their capability," he said when replying to a question from Abd Rani Osman (PAS-Meru) on the evaluation of the services of village chiefs in Selangor and the approach applied to monitor their performance.

Yaakop said village chiefs were now placed on a six-month probation to enable them prove their capability as leaders.

"The state government will also look at the reports from the state assemblypersons on the performance of the village headmen in their constituencies," he said.

When replying to a supplementary question, from Haniza Talha (PKR-Taman Medan), on the opportunities for women to become village headmen, Yaakop said the elections would be open to either gender.

"Women can also contest. We hope we can hold the elections for village headmen," said Yaakop, who is the assemblyman for Kota Anggerik.

- Bernama