Who is Mat Amin bin Taib from A Town Like Alice and what is their importance?

Mat Amin bin Taib is the village headman in Kuala Telang. He is described as being about fifty-years-old, and level-eyed, with close-cropped hair, a mustache, and a firm, kindly face. After her release, Jean later negotiates with Mat Amin over the construction of a village well and other facilities that would constitute a center for the women.