‘With great power comes great responsibility’: Bintulu MP warns against abuse in community leadership

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 14: ‘With great power comes great responsibility’—fans of Marvel superhero Spider-Man would recognise this iconic phrase, which bears the meaning that those who have power or authority also have a duty to use it wisely, ethically, and for the benefit of others.

In a Facebook post, Bintulu MP Dato Seri Tiong King Sing also echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that power or authority should be used to serve, not to oppress.

“Never let any political party try to make the position of community leaders theirs. Do not use it as a bargaining chip or a tool to gain political support. This is not only an insult to the existing administrative system, but also a betrayal of the people’s trust,” he said when attending a ‘Ngiling Bidai 2025’ dinner ceremony in Kemena on Friday (June 13).

Tiong, who is also Dudong assemblyman and the federal Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, said that community leader positions do not belong to any party, as they are appointed through transparent procedures and a fair selection mechanism by the government.

“This is also a responsibility to connect the people at the grassroots level with the government and improve the well-being of the community. The practice of cronyism and the unseen hand will only destroy the credibility of the institution in the blink of an eye,” he said.

He also stated that he had brought up the issue with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who emphasised that community leader appointments must be based on the law, while respecting the process and acknowledging the decision collectively.

“A position is not an inheritance; it is a trust that must be earned. If someone lacks the qualifications but attempts to bypass due process, make arbitrary changes, exploit their role, or act improperly, I will not stay silent.

“This kind of attitude only shows greed for power. Let’s never become leaders who excel only at words—claiming not to crave power—yet fail to act and prove that we truly aren’t driven by it. We must not let the people lose their trust in us.

Tiong further cautioned against abusing the power entrusted to us, emphasising that power is a double-edged sword—when used wisely, it becomes a force for good, but when misused, it leads to self-destruction.

“If exercised for the greater good, its benefits will reach many, but if used for personal gain, it will bring harmful consequences,” he said. — DayakDaily

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