Dayak need to scale up their political thinking

Posted by So How Like That

Meeting PKR Leaders

I was part of the Sarawak delegation that was in Kuala Lumpur over the last week-end to meet with Anwar Ibrahim and some other national leaders of PKR.Once again I had the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on a variety of issues but most of the time I listened quietly to the voices of the others in the delegation – just like I did during the symposium in Sibu in January.

Bawin or Jawah

The difference in this gathering of Dayaks in K.L is that it took place after the passing on of the late Dublin Unting and the currency in almost all the discussions among the Dayaks was the choice of PKR’s candidate – Nicholas Bawin Vs Jawah Gerang.

My Reflection

I listened and I reflected and I tried to judge if we the Dayaks in PKR have reached that level in maturity in politics that will enable us to make a real difference in the lives of not only the Dayaks but in the lives of all Sarawakians who have been deprived of justice and denied their fair share of the fruits of 45 years of independence.

The dialogue session with Anwar Ibrahim and Saifuddin Nasution was indeed very telling. By the way Yb Saifuddin is the man in charge of strategy in PKR.

We have not learned much

What took place during the dialogue and the arguments bandied about, for and against the choice of PKR candidates in the coming by-election in Batang Ai led me to believe that the Dayaks have not learned much from their past involvement in politics and that BN will emerge the winner, again, in Batang Ai. Put simply, we are a long way off from being able to rise above our petty personal interests, our subservient attitude to people who project power and our penchant to judge based on such subjective things like the ‘feel good factor’, the sentiments of the people on the ground etc etc.

In a nutshell, the politics displayed is still kampong-level politics which should have gone out of the window at least 30 years ago.

We could have done better as Dayak leader

The dialogue with Anwar Ibrahim had the intended purpose of getting ideas from the members of the delegation on how PKR’s footing can be further strengthened in Sarawak, in particular among the Dayaks. What happened during the dialogue were not a show Dayaks’ wisdom and Dayaks’ capacity for strategic thinking but poor attempts at grand standing and what I would refer to as a sell-out.

How else can you describe a situation where instead of taking the opportunity to tell Anwar Ibrahim just exactly what role the Dayaks should play in the state PKR and in a PKR-led state government (starting with representation in the state committee line-up) Anwar Ibrahim was told to use his judgment and exercise his discretion with regards to the members of the committee.

Self Interest still very strong

I have this nagging suspicion that this surrendering of rights was done in the name of self-promotion, in the hope that Anwar Ibrahim will remember the gracious act and hopefully, pave the way for one’s nomination in the coming state election.

To me, that is certainly not a sign of the ability and readiness of our Dayaks leaders to engage in the hard negotiations that surely will become necessary in order to fight for the interest of Sarawakians, in particular the Dayaks.

I would therefore like to make this heart-felt appeal to the Dayaks, particularly to the influence peddlers and the opinion shapers. This appeal makes special reference to the coming by-election in Batang Ai.

Focus on the big Picture

Let us focus on the bigger picture. PKR’s victory in the coming Batang Ai by-election is the portal to a Dayak-led (by the Dayaks in PKR) Pakatan Rakyat state government in Sarawak. That will mark the beginning of the solutions to the woes that besets the Dayaks community. At the same time, BN’s victory in Batang Ai is the key to the holding of BN’s fort. Their win will perpetuate the policies and practices that have oppressed, shackled, impoverished, subjugate and muzzled the Dayaks for the last 45 years.

The stakes are high for both sides and BN will stack the full might of their very considerable resources behind their candidate. It will do us well therefore to remember that our foe is BN and not our comrades in PKR.

Batang Ai is a fight for Dayak future

Jawah Gerang’s fight is not just for his so-called hard core supporters just as Nicholas Bawin’s fight is just not for his supporters in Batang Ai. It is not about who is more popular and who is not. This looming battle is about the future of the Dayaks, from the tip of Sematan to the end of Lawas and about the future of all Sarawakians who BN had put on the fringe of society for far too long.

Be united behind the chosen candidate

Nicholas Bawin had said so many times and to many people that in the event PKR’s leadership nominate someone else to contest Batang Ai he will throw his full support behind that candidate. I therefore make this special appeal to Jawah Gerang, to his promoters and his supporters because I have not yet heard similar sentiments from their group. The appeal is if the party leadership nominates Nicholas Bawin, please throw your full support behind Nicholas so as to ensure a win for PKR.

Get Our priority Right

Jawah Gerang may have won all his previous battles in the area and Nicholas lost all his but Nicholas could also have won all his battles there had he contested under BN. This however is not about Jawah or about Nicholas so let us get our priority right.

Our Harapan Baru

Help to create a future where there will be no more Rumah Nyawin, a future where our children will not be asked if their parents are supporters and party members of PBB when they apply for study loans and scholarships from Yayasan Sarawak and where the first right of refusal to a job with the government lays in the hands of our children and not some one else. Help us to create a future where we Dayaks can refer to ourselves as Dayaks with pride and not hang our head down in shame because we cannot even properly fight for the rights of our people.

There is much to be done. There are threats, not only from outside but also from within. There are vested interests, working through some members inside the party whose designs can only lead to division between the Dayaks in PKR. These we must be aware of and we must resist those who seek to drive wedges between us and frustrate our efforts.

Conclusion

Whoever PKR’s candidate is, he will also need a considerable amount of money to mount an effective campaign. We are not talking about BN-style money politics here. We are not talking about buying votes. We are talking about necessary expenses in order to be able to reach all voters in Batang Ai and to tell them what is at stake. Batang Ai, as every Sarawakian knows is an expanse of land which by no means can be considered small. After 45 years of neglect by BN, transportation within the constituency is not only costly but unreliable.

So I make another appeal, now to all Dayaks who read this and who desire to contribute to the change that we are proffering – change for the better. There is an appeal for donations towards PKR campaign fund for Batang Ai. The amount requested for is only RM5.00 per donor and can de deposited directly through any Maybank cash deposit machines.

Welcome to the fight for a change of government, a fight for a more just and equitable Malaysian society.

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March 7, 2009 · Filed Under Politic

Comments

32 Responses to “Dayak need to scale up their political thinking”

Miss Kepayang on March 7th, 2009 10:35 am

In response to A. Ahmad request….Dayak Internet guru RumahDayak.com & Borneo Warrior.
Futurist on March 7th, 2009 10:38 am

Seeming contradictions make seeing collective objectives difficult. But in the physical setting, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The same hold true in political affairs.

For those who cannot understand trend/countertrend, the world moves in one direction only, and they constantly surprised by events and forces they did not see coming.

By the way, do they really see it coming?
Dr. Bean on March 7th, 2009 10:51 am

Jawah Gerang may have won all his previous battles in the area and Nicholas lost all his but Nicholas could also have won all his battles there had he contested under BN. This however is not about Jawah or about Nicholas so let us get our priority right.
………………………………………….
I beg your pardon…Bawin never contest on BN ticket ? A check on 1987 election result showed Bawin contested on SNAP/BN and lost by 1709 votes to Mikai.
orangluar on March 7th, 2009 10:55 am

I strongly agree to the comments that Dayak s are far from matured politically. still self interest and kepapas and this ultimatly lead to failure. If the thinking persists the dayak dreams will not be realised.
hi wai unggal make a change by changing ourselves first. Dont blame BN for our lagging if we are not prepared to do our part.
Dr. Bean on March 7th, 2009 11:03 am

EnduIban: Piee bin Ling is PKR Sec Gen for Sarawak. Nyadi donation baka tu MUST received approval ari higher party level (HQ)and approval is given.

This money will be accounted for by PKR Sarawak.

PKR organization has process of its own in handling public donation to ensure no abuse.
………………………………………

A checked with PKR Hq and confirmed by Adit revealed that the party leadership has yet to appoint anyone to become state secretary general. PIEE BIN LING is just an executive secretary tasked to do administrative works.
Tinting Kelingkang on March 7th, 2009 12:20 pm

If now in N29, we IBANS choose not to tell our frustration to BN-Sarawak especially PBB, we then all go back to square one – choose to be bullied and cheated for another half century

WE have to teach BN-Sarawak a good lesson through the one vote in our hand, on behalf of Dayak Ibans in the whole of Sarawak, Malaysia

DON’T VOTE BN, REGARDLESS OF WHO STANDS ON BN TICKET -
Dr. John Brian Anthony on March 7th, 2009 1:35 pm

Dr. Bean – the error is mine to state that Piee bin Ling is PKR Sec Gen. I stand corrected – as Dr. Bean has confirmed that Piee is holding PKR Executive Sec salaried post.
Pengayau on March 7th, 2009 1:40 pm

yup i agree…this is our high times, dayak must change…latest info i get from gov..insider BN will giving RM 2000 to all voters, first payment RM 200, if BN win they will paid the rest of amount..RM 1800..huhhhh get their money and vote for PKR….vrooommmmm
Dr. Bean on March 7th, 2009 1:43 pm

How else can you describe a situation where instead of taking the opportunity to tell Anwar Ibrahim just exactly what role the Dayaks should play in the state PKR and in a PKR-led state government (starting with representation in the state committee line-up) Anwar Ibrahim was told to use his judgment and exercise his discretion with regards to the members of the committee.

……………………………………..
Thanks for revealing what transpired during the KL meeting.Its goes to prove yet again that those so-call Dayaks leaders attending the meeting including Bawin are either not ready or to put its blindly a weak leader. How to CHANGE WE MUST?
Dr. Bean on March 7th, 2009 2:18 pm

Whoever PKR’s candidate is, he will also need a considerable amount of money to mount an effective campaign. We are not talking about BN-style money politics here. We are not talking about buying votes. We are talking about necessary expenses in order to be able to reach

…………………………………….
Correct..Dr. Brian! this time you pull the bull by the horn.Jawah has the financial backing that u can bet, and for that reason I , Adit and Dominique had been pushing for him….no desrespect for Bawin .
Nevermind no body like Datuk S’ng ( including me)
but what’s wrong if we can make use of him to achieve our goal TO WIN Batang Ai, if he we can provide logistic, helicopter, folk outmoney and use his networks.
After all politic is the art of using each other for maximun benifit.CHANGE WE MUST or CHANGE WE CAN is no longer a pipe dream if we win Batang Ai . Think about it.
bujang undup(kl) on March 7th, 2009 7:31 pm

doesnt matter weather jawah gerang or bawin but hhe most important thing “PKR” must win the election at Batang Ai.Iwould like 2 remind PKR leadership especilay jawag and bawin please dont ague if DSAI not choose one of you,but forcous that PKR win the election.to the people of LUBUK ANTU make it become realty.INGAT KA PEMEDIS BANGSA KITAI IBAN DITINDAS PAK UBAN ENGGAU JABU TENGIK.
braun on March 8th, 2009 12:54 am

who ever represents PKR, must win in this by-election to show that the winds of change has been started. besides, PKR must have the needed support and power to form govt. and right the wrongs of our BN lifestyles!
oA on March 8th, 2009 3:33 am

.

should get over the OLD mind set that bn has everything to win the election.

If you wanted change then just set everything anew.

How do you suppose PKR won the 5 states in the west?

.
freeSARAWAK on March 8th, 2009 10:29 am

options that we have

1. keep supporting BN like what we what we have done for the past 46y

2. change to PR but the main dilemma, can PR improve our condition to what we deserve? same par with the rest?

3. our own party that can unite whole Sarawakians and be the 3rd force in parlimen. rule Sarawak and become crucial 3rd party in parlimen

from (1) to (2) but if still the same, then what is the point for having changing? change again in the next election? no problem
IbanImmigrant on March 8th, 2009 11:15 am

Well for me, Iban is still stupid as always. Still hoping for other people to be their pillar. Last time it was BN, and now they hope for hopeless PR. Iban never learnTTTTTTT , they always listen to your teaching but they just never learn. That is why I migrate to other country because I am ashamed of being Iban at my own place.. I am proud of being Iban in other place because of its HISTORY, but not present stories.

Iban cry and cry and cry, money also do not have still you want to fight others. Always be prepare before going for a battle.

I am not going to insert my US dollar to donate to you. Find your own.
iban samarahan on March 8th, 2009 11:45 am

Where are those so call IBAN DAYAK leaders in PAKATAN RAKYAT @PKR…when our IBAN BIBLE banned by the Badawi BN regime…? Hold your RELIGION high and Jesus will be with u….

Again…i see this as another IBAN DAYAK who want to be the SECOND JABU…..

And dont talk about politic if we IBAN did not have the economic POWER…even if u win…how you can guarantee us that you will not be anothe UKUI tu those TAUKE cina? NATO! No money No talk, no action talk only…

Renung renungkan lah…
iban samarahan on March 8th, 2009 12:01 pm

and dont really know Willian Mawan performance in Politics..but I did not heard so many HARD work to him like Jemut MAsing..

just wondering…why cant we stand behind one IBAN Leaders and FIGHT? We can fight not only frm Opposition but we can fight even from inside BN if all IBAN and DAYAK unite…
anak sarawak on March 8th, 2009 12:26 pm

Rgw acrimonious expression of so many unenlightened opinions in these responses prove Dr. Anthony’s point that strategic thinking and rational analysis are indeed in short supply among literate Ibans.
lakkia on March 8th, 2009 1:56 pm

Iban Immigrant – yes Sir, we will find our own. We learn that receiving money from BN (who took it from our forest and NCR land) is the root of corruption in our land. That is also THE cause of use losing our land because with power given by us – BN implement their plantation program.

Do enjoy yourself in the US and also the highly valued US currency. We will work here to continue our struggle to improve Dayaks and we do not differentiate – that include your relatives, friends and family member too.

We understand your disgust over Dayak – for us here, we will play a part in correcting and upgrading our community through enhancing our Dayak rights to prosper and self determination on our land asset. We cannot be arrogant as we beong to a poor group in Malaysian community despite personally – I could take the same attitude as yours but I cannot. I have a heavy conscience over letting Dayak poor for ease of control by the elite few.

We pray for success Iban Immigration and may you enjoy all the fruits of your labour with abundance in US.
Agom on March 8th, 2009 2:38 pm

I appeal to two gentlemen, Jawah and Bawin, to come to a compromise. Whoever anyone of you is chosen by Pakatan Rakyat for its candidate in Batang Ai by-election, the other has to give undivided support and no hurt feeling.There is a possibility an interference by outsiders, espicially your opponents who wanted to see you split and to confuse the constituents.Hopefully, your wisdom and maturity in politics will deter you to succumb to their traps.The party leaders in Pakatan Rakyat, your constituents, your family as well as you colleagues would be very happy to see you win the election, please don`t betray them if you achieve your goal.
Johnny Jawa on March 8th, 2009 4:03 pm

Tabi Kaban Blogger,

DAYAK POLITICS IN HORRENDOUS TRAFFIC

Good afternoon, actually I prefer to discuss the topic on strategic development or changes in wider perspective, not only pertaining to the dayak cause, but also other friendly people of Swk; formulated with ideas of proper verification in figures and facts.

Since Dr John had been emplacing this article: DAYAK NEED TO SCALE UP THE POLITICAL THINKING on the front line of his blog for this weekend, I feel like a cobra being systematically stimulated to spray the venom in defense from the attack the dayak political pundit. In short, the life is more simpler when by turning my head to the loudest beat of the drum of the day.

As browsed over the comment written by my fellow bloggers on this discussion, non of them is properly aligned on the right track, simply what we called during the early days of school essay writing, is out of topic. If you are the gov’t servant sitting for PTK exam, surely will fail too. Most of the friends here are campaigning for PiKiR candidate for the coming by election in Batang Ai (BA), not discounting Dr John himself. They are just like the dog groaning to defend the last piece of meat.

It is timely and pertinent for the Dayak politician and also the DayakBaru bloggers to scale up their thinking or simply open their mind before accepting the modern politics. Once ingrained by the mistakes, dayak population is comparable to the Palestinian of the east, being bullied by the big players of the West Malaysia PiKiR politicians. These people famous strategy is the speak falsehood, speak it so often until people begin to believe it is true. It is the most effective tangible tool for vote clamping in the rural area, even among the national front during the past election. Please fellow dayak, don’t “leg up’ to welcome these aliens with their hidden agenda.

The most interesting scenario is not just convening DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI under the tree but also the frog hunting (Nyuluh pama & rawong). Frequent blogger Akiq Hawong sure widely known for his critics on this frog discussion in this blog. I guessed Jonic Rawong of Ken Ke-ili is not the result of the another species of frog metamorphosis. Joen Saleing many times metamorphosed from S*NAP, PB*S, PARS, while adapting from the harsh lower rajang area to more friendly julau environment. I guessed they are weak species, can’t adopt to harsh environment of modern politics. Luckily for the dayak in Julau area, when Joen proposal to put up Sura**w in the primary school did not materialized. Otherwise the family of animal farm in the area will got distracted by loud cooing from their deep sleep in the early hours of the morning.

The concluding remark which I may say is, the dayak politics is just the replica of the hunting game of an owl and the wolf which took place in the moonlight; with an owl first preyed the rat while the wolf was watching on the high command position of the putrajaya trees. With a split of second when the owl half swallowed the rat, the wolf moved fast clamped an owl and whorled up for the first meal of the week.

Nya aja kaban
Dr. John Brian Anthony on March 8th, 2009 4:38 pm

johnny jawa – pandai amat kaban. Let us work together to reform the Rights of Indigenous People over their land, culture and future.

We will count every person valuable input – blogger, BN supporter or government servants.

In Sarawak, we are one. When CORRUPTION and POWER ABUSE is rampant – we don not close our head and turn our head away from the issue.

Yess – we go and fight for justice for Sarawak people.
IbanImmigrant on March 8th, 2009 5:14 pm

I believe nothing will change in Lubok Antu, I am very sure that PR NOT going to win in N29.

Because you have no money, you poor race.

Enti kita menang ngelaban BN, aku ka ngelucu sambil bedarat telanjai ari simpang Lubok Antu nyentuk ngagai Batu Kaya.
UltraKepayang on March 8th, 2009 5:24 pm

IbanImmigrant,

Bulak dek nya ka ngelucuk enti PR menang. Enti nuan ka meri aku detail nuan awaka aku ulih ngiga nuan ila enti PR menang, aku ka meda nuan ngelucuk…
Dr. John Brian Anthony on March 8th, 2009 5:31 pm

Ibanimmigrant – uji nuan ngena nama amat nuan – kapa nuan deka takut ke aku. Aku baka nuan meh – I am taking your challenge “personally”.

Enti BN alah – nuan telanjai bedarat ari simpang Lubok Antu nyentuk ngagai Batu kaya.

I intend to go to registrar “challenge” nuan nya enggau court. Enti nuan nadai tambang pulai ari menoa tasik, I can pay for you first. You must pay me back – laban jako nuan kelalu sumbong ngemeli ke bansa kami Dayak iban.

Pansut ke nama enggau gambar nuan – baka aku ke empu blog tu.

Enti nuan enda berani – bisi kain bini aku tau kena nuan nurun kerja. Just provide me your address I’ll send it to you.
Akiq Hawong on March 8th, 2009 8:16 pm

Enti utai Ibanimmigrant nya kulup, tusah endar ka ngeluchu iya, unggal. Dikena agai indu pen nyau baka ke ngembar diri empu aja ga laban agi ngena ketapu keledar.
Akiq Hawong on March 8th, 2009 8:31 pm

Leboh PBDS baru ditumboh suba, aku arap endar ke sida iban ke fanatik dayakism nya baka unggal Emot ngeringka dayak, ngeringka iban. Ba pikir aku siku, tak unggal nya meh ulih ngaduka nyerakupka dayak laban iya aja ga ke bisi pelajar PhD ke pandai, amat meh semina perajar antropologi. Enti iya ngambi PhD sains, angka tak ngeliat ga unggal nya ngaga eksperimen ba lab.

Amat ga munyi ku unggal JJ nya. Burong pok nangkap chit, udah nya jelu beragok nangkap burong pok. Akai dai, arapka, tuai dayak baru ke diatu enda beperangai baka sida burong pok, sida beragok nya.
Akiq Hawong on March 8th, 2009 8:37 pm

Hai unggal UltraKepayang,

Tentu siok amat kitai meda unggal Ibanimmigrant nya ngeluchu utai ke kulop nya.

Hai Ibanimmigrant,
Manah amat penemu nuan ke ka ngemarohka bansa diri bansa Iban. Nyau betambah manah ka penemu ke ditunu kitai ditu laban nuan ke enggau neh. Pajak ka dia meh unggal tang nuan mesti sedia ka kena tunu sida ditu.
Akiq Hawong on March 8th, 2009 10:15 pm

Enti aku tu IbanImmigrant, malu endar nyau dasoh unggal Dr JBA nya ngena kain bini iya. Arapka kain nya udah dibaso sebedau dikirum ke nuan. Aku enggai ngasoh nuan ngena kain bini aku unggal, enggaika nuan balat enchego lagi. Enda alah nyau chukak chukak utai ensapong ba kain nya lagi.
Futurist on March 9th, 2009 12:18 pm

“…Welcome to the fight for a change of government, a fight for a more just and equitable Malaysian society…”

1) The first thing that we learned when we began talking about change was that how people respond to information is as important – if not more important than – the information itself. We acknowledged from the comments(many version here in dayakbaru.com), that often people’s fear of change led them to reject or deny information about change, even in the face of enormous competitive and compelling forces. So we who can see the opportunities promised by ‘CHANGE’ had to find ways to help them(Batang Ai Voters) see the positive possibilities, to remove or diminish what they saw as threatening, without in any way changing the truth of the information.

This meant encouraging them to look for positive implications instead of focusing too much on the ‘fear’ side. For them never see the ‘good points’ yet, therefore they resist to the positive gist of change. Further, with solid and strong BN propagandists controlling all the so-called ‘official media ammo’ this is worth exploring for PR team.

2) This good notion MUST be explained to Batang Ai folks in details and simplest manner in our mother tounge(Jaku Iban) – “The real voyage of discovery,” wrote Marcel Proust, “consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having NEW EYES,” or, seeing with “alien eyes.”

Happy campaigning to both and may the truth prevails at the end of the day although it may take years to materialize. History proven that many cruel regimes around the world eventually and gradually will be collapsed – the only difference is one maybe take years to be happened, but it is not so far here…

So Focus, Focus, and Focus.

Cheers
iban samarahan on March 9th, 2009 1:43 pm

i hope someone can fight for our ALLAH in Bible IBAN? streghten your faith and Jesus will be with us.
Unak Semambu on March 9th, 2009 11:13 pm

I am tired reading the word dayak/Iban or dayakbaru in this blog. If BN wins the Batang Ai by-election we should review our strategy in politics.
To my opinion, the more harder we try to push ourselves into the mainstream of development, power sharing, increase our stack in the Malaysia wealth especially in the state of sarawak, the higher is the resistance putting by other races in order to prevent us taking their share or if possible they try to completely cut off dayak involvement running the state.

Whether we like it or not, as the battle continues, dayaks are surely losing because we are not policy maker, lacking of support from our own people, and somehow by that virtue or status quo we have limited resources (money) to equip ourselves to face the battle.

Therefore, unless our unity is solid we should consider to portray ourselves as Malaysians and agreed to work hand in hand with whoever elected leaders represent our areas so that we can close the gap of possession between our people and the rest of Malaysians.

That is the dilemma we have to swallow. Why? ngandal ke Tuai kitai dayak matak jalai agi ga enda serakup penemu. Siku mai kulu, siku mai kili. Team A madah enggau sida betul, Team B madah enggau sida ga ke engkeman….rayat pesap2 mata baka ke ngemata urang main badminton….agi nengkila sapa ke ulih menang. Jam enda nganti makin lama makin tingal jauh sejauh.

In industrialized nations or newfound lands like America and Australia there are too many races or ethnic groups to be called by name, hence it is always practicable easier to identify their citizens only as Americans and Australians repectively, although Aborigines are seldom called Australians but they are given a lot of privileges and the top priority to participate in the development & employment.