Anna Chidambar
With the recent stepping down of Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as Sarawak chief minister, opposition parties in the state are hopeful that it will weaken BN’s footing in Sarawak.
Whether it is mere wishful thinking or otherwise, they rationalise that “It cannot be denied that Taib’s political strategies and acumen are quite exceptional and a very hard act to follow.”
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said: “As the governor, Taib can still advise Chief Minister (Tan Sri) Adenan Satem. However, when it comes to politics in Sarawak, money still plays a big part. Taib’s family has immense monetary clout to strengthen their political power.
“But in Adenan’s case, I don’t think anyone will be contended to be a ‘seat warmer’. Once placed in the position of power, any person will attempt to leave his legacy behind and we can expect Adenan to do the same during his tenure as chief minister.”
Asked if DAP would change its game plan now that Taib is governor, Chong said: “DAP has always taken a stance against corruption, power abuse, cronyism and non-transparency in governance and Taib was a target as he was head of the state government at the time.
“We have evidence of a lot of government contracts and land alienated at way below market price being given to companies linked to his family. As such, he became the symbol of what we have been protesting against.
“Although he has now stepped down as chief minister, the modus operandi of the government has yet to change; so unless the government changes the way it gives out contracts, awards land and persecutes the natives, the attack will still continue from DAP.
“DAP will voice out against discrimination but now Taib will be taken out of our radar. We have to respect the institution as he has been sworn in as Sarawak governor as much as we objected to his appointment,” said Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP and state assemblyman for Kota Sentosa.
The DAP leader stressed that any wrongdoing, criminal act or corrupt practice will remain and cannot be whitewashed because of Taib’s appointment as governor.
Should there be any evidence of such wrongdoing, the public prosecutor would still have to prosecute the case. There is no limitation bar for criminal acts or acts of corruption, he added.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak DAP with 30 branches and 10,000 members began gearing up for the next state election with the launch of a rural outreach project that involves building roads and providing basic amenities such as electricity and clean water. The projects started in October last year.
Chong expects the state election to be held next year although it is not due until March 2016.
The main thrust of DAP’s campaign was through its ‘Impian Sarawak movement’ with three aims that include improving the living environment of rural folks in Sarawak, uplifting the earning capacity and enhancing the political minds of the rural community.
‘Impian Sarawak’ is trumpeted as an initiative by the DAP to provide basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity for the rural areas.
The projects include new gravity-feed water systems to replace the existing ones that were failing due to drought and decaying pipes, and repair of longhouses and portions of roads that had been neglected by BN.
Hornbill Unleashed 
Given half the chance DAP will not only repeat what BN has done in the past, but will do much more to maintain the culture of “talked about released fish fries into rivers and bringing tourists to see tattooed Dayaks in their longhouse”. Except perhaps the players may be different, the script of divide and rule has been commonplace since ADAM. DAP will do no better.
If the Dayaks want to change for the better, they are the best to do what they want to do to bring about the desired change. Aren’t Dayaks capable of leading themselves to bring about the change to their midst. O course ruling Sarawak Dayaks cannot run away from the fact that we must work together with the Malays, Chinese, and others and together. But to get to be organized with a view to bringing about change by adhering to directive from others, even should it be successful, the source that bring the said directive would want to have its cut first: “without me directing you would not have succeeded” syndrome. Dayaks being very poor in all aspects and comparative to the other communities will always suffer in any set up situation because of poverty itself. However to allow them to remain poor, without any effort brought about to changing the wheel of fortune which could befall them, will lead the situation to a level of polarisation which could be dangerous to the society as a whole. Hence the Dayaks must awake now and take stock of things around, and of themselves, to move forward to bring about change from inside the community up. We must prevent others giving us directive.
Comment by anak sarawak. — March 9, 2014 @ 11:57 AM |
Everything is in motion. Every ideas would not remain permanent. But for a start DAP may contribute fresh impetus to the Dayak. Dayak has proven to fail themselves why not accept fresh idea, maybe it will work. Dayak do not have long history in a complex societies. Chinese and European have long history living the complex societies that give them the upper hands to navigate their ways out from dilemmas. So none of us should judge our fellow Dayaks for their ignorance. However, as individuals we cannot change their mindsets. It has to go through a only process that is proven to raise consciousness that is education. Dayaks must emphasize on demanding that they get equal share of education from the government.
Comment by loyarburok — March 9, 2014 @ 3:19 PM |
Good. Now at least you are talking with a bit of sense regarding the dire need of us Dayaks for better education! Bravo!!
Comment by brian — March 11, 2014 @ 2:53 PM |
Impian Sarawak Movement…good but do not impikan kayu balak, Tanah NCR Dayak, Rampas Tanah dan harta dayaks like those in BN/SUPP did. We do not want another musuh dalam selimut when given the chance. Do not fool us with sweet deeds and honey coated promises if we allow us into our homes!!.
We do not want any master plan that will bite us back at the end of the day!
Comment by brian — March 8, 2014 @ 11:58 AM |
Now the Dayak should realize that DAP is not a chauvinistic party. DAP is founded on the principles of fairness. Fairness should be rendered to all sectors,races,traditions and cultures of Sarawak. Did we ever heard of the ruling BN components parties formulated a master plan to assist the Dayak in socio-economically. Yes, if you talked about fish fries released into rivers and bringing tourists to see tattooed Dayaks in their longhouses.
Comment by loyarburok — March 8, 2014 @ 10:47 AM |