Sarawak's longhouse chiefs have been reminded that they would be "appropriately punished" if they abuse the rural project fund.

Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Salang said that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) would be called in to investigate if there were reports of such abuse.

Salang said that he received reports of some tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs) who had used the funds for their personal benefit.

"They have to be transparent and trustworthy so that every sen could be accounted for to the satisfaction of the people under their care," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

This was said before he presented the annual minor rural project fund totalling RM1.76 million to more than 200 longhouses and associations in his parliamentary constituency of Julau.

Priority

Salang added that abuse of the funds by longhouse chiefs could cause people under their care to desert them and the longhouse could split up.

He then suggested that a proper record of all expenditure can be kept by every longhouse's village security and development committee for referral purposes.

He also said that priority would be given to those wanting to construct or repair their longhouses when it comes to distribution of funds in his constituency.

Salang assured that the funds would be fairly distributed to ensure that every longhouse and association gets its proper share.