Case for forming / not forming a new Dayak Party

Posted by: Maramat Tajak

Judging from 100s of postings on similar subject, this has got to be the most difficult issue and yet the most important to address. Don’t have the magic wand, but will speak my mind.

Dayak Population – what it means

Given that there are only about 1 million Dayak, its hard to see how there can be that many political parties (PBB,SPDP,PRS,SNAP,PKR,PAS,DAP,SUPP) who would most certainly proclaim to champion the Dayak cause – when & if any of the parties has a Dayak candidate standing for election, in any of the Dayak-majority constituency.No point in lamenting the sad state of affairs. Lets take this as a given, with no easy solution.

Dayak are loyal people

Lets have no illusion: Dayaks who have been loyal party members including politicians of these respective political parties will not want to change political party – naturally there would have been too much vested interest for them to change. Unless, the stronger party is willing to absorb party loyalists from the weaker party and provide them meaningful role over and above that they can aspire to get on their own, there will be no “consolidation” as Broken Shield suggest. This the true/pragmatic view of politics and politician.Nice if Barisan Dayak Party can materialised – but, not likely.

Political Issues that split the Dayak

Meanwhile, there are many political issues that are inherently Dayak: poverty,land,culture.And these issues will naturally get diluted or lost in the priority rankings, when championed in any of the “multi-racial” parties (all those in the list!) – given that there are not many Dayak politician(s) who is independently wealthy and has a war chest to win electoral seat(s) without sponsors.

Political Outlook for Dayak

The political outlook for Dayak remains bleak at this time. BN has proven to be toxic to Dayak interest. PR remains to be seen-need further uncompromising analysis of their political culture. MDC-never mind the ROS-the protem committee silence, speaks volume of its -as dead as buried-fate.

Political fabric into political strategy

This leave perhaps a long term movement,to change the very fabric of Dayak thought so their political wants can be galvanised into actual political strategy. I did pose a question as to why Dayak would want to unite -for any purpose – and the feedback was quite mooted. So that has added to the pessimism.

Conclusion

Personally: I take it very slowly.Change will come, when it comes. Cross the bridge when we get there, but meanwhile, lets take a walk – and continue to talk.

Popularity: 30% [?]

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June 30, 2009 · Filed Under General

Comments

16 Responses to “Case for forming / not forming a new Dayak Party”

Empelesik Sungai on June 30th, 2009 2:44 pm

Dayak are loyal: Right Meramat. The fighting solders are very much a proof of this.

Political issues split the Dayaks – No and Yes.

Issues that Dayak politicians highlighted, I am so sorry, I don’t know the answer. Trace back for the last 5 years, what issues have been dear to our Dayak Politicians? The one theme I heard and read is “nyukung perintah” or support the government. When, in the last 46 years had the people turned their back on the government? Of late this “nyukung perintah” gets louder and louder because of “PR trying to confuse the people.” As I type this I am laughing at this. The PR is so “powerful” nowadays. TV, Radio, machineries all over for BN and yet PR can penetrate the mind of the people. Puh, I am amazed at PR’s ability.

But political issues split the Dayaks, because there are poor and there are rich Dayaks. The rich is not through honest hard work – but something to do with … yeah you’ve got it. That itself developed into:
1. The rich: I must protect this.
2. The poor: I must have that too. (Bolshevik Revolution)
3. Majority: That is too much. Some naughty things here and there are tolerable, but this is too much. Empelesik Sungai is in this group. (French Revolution?)

Just my 2-cents Meramat.
Chakui Chabu on June 30th, 2009 3:11 pm

All nonsense. proposal of SPDP-PRS merger since 2005, initiated by Taib, until now has never materialised.
dayakrambo on June 30th, 2009 3:50 pm

forget about formation of new party, this the reason why Dayaks split more, too many wanna be boss, for the population bout 1 mil dayak, there alreday lot of party around, we have bigger ship to ride..PR.. just use it to fight for our right, to remove the present govmnt, we need to win back what we have lost, fight with strong foundation, after won the battle we can use plan B as we know only ourselves can rule Dayaks..
Wild D on June 30th, 2009 6:13 pm

It doesn’t matter how many political parties there are for the Dayaks. The fact remains that half the legislators in the DUN Sarawak are Dayaks. These legislators are the problem that the Dayaks must eliminate. As with the Brooke Dynasty, these Dayak legislators keep Taib in power. In return he collects the spoils of office and shares with them. When Taib is gone, the Dayaks legislators will simply gather around a new Taib and continue to betray and sell out their people.

Kick out all the present Dayak legislators in the DUN Sarawak and then you will see real change coming to Sarawak and the Dayak community.

The problem is not Taib but the Dayak legislators. Kick them out and then you will see Taib disappear from the scene like a dog with his tail between the legs.
Wild D on June 30th, 2009 6:16 pm

The reason why it won’t be easy to remove the present lot of Dayak legislators in the DUN Sarawak is that they are tied up with the longhouse chiefs and village headmen, all appointed by the government. The latter keep the people poor, ignorant and frightened through the system of government subsidies.
CharcoalArt on June 30th, 2009 7:18 pm

This has been a question that I have asked myself since PBDS was deregistered. PBDS might not be relevant anymore but it was the closest that Dayaks had managed to unite in such big a group. After the de registration of PBDS many of my partyless colleagues argued that it was necessary to have another platform to continue the struggles and objectives that PBDS had once established so well. These partyless colleagues didn’t think PRS as suitable due to political quarrels between people. Some of the colleagues took things quite personally.

How about PBB then? – well, almost all partyless were keen to join PBB once. Unfortunately PBB refused to accept the partyless citing all sort of excuses.

Nonetheless it is interesting to see that the State BN has entrusted PRS as the beneficiaries of PBDS nominated seats; all of them were given to PRS. It seemed like with a lot of sincerity. Could it be that many events that led to the demolition of PBDS were orchestrated but with one objective to kill the word “Dayak” in PBDS, i.e. not necessary to kill its members? It very well could if viewed from the paranoia resulting from the Ming Court Affairs. In fact almost all Dayaks are aware that there are people who don’t like to see Dayaks get united. Dayak unity is something that is very scary.

By breaking the Dayaks up in many political parties is a sure way to weaken the Dayak voices. It is almost a pathetic situation which many Dayaks don’t like to see but yet cannot do much about.

The active Dayaks, like my once partyless colleagues simply could not accept to be treated as insignificant. Despite losing, fight you must they say. Unfortunately these die hard Dayak political activists are currently minority in the already badly split Dayak society.

So would another party such as MDC do us Dayaks any good at this moment?

The new Dayak party, if managed to get registered would likely to apply to become a member of the Barisan Nasional. But if it is rejected then they will fight as opposition. In the scenario that the new Dayak party is an opposition – then they will fight with all their might against the Dayaks in BN. Whichever scenario you would like to see, you will end up seeing a repeat of Dayak pathetic political failure and continuity of a vicious cycle.

I think the Dayaks, especially my once partyless colleagues should think harder. A new Dayak party is not really the solution. Neither is PKR, DAP or PAS. You may win a couple of DUN seats, but you can’t bring significant changes and impacts to the already badly split Dayaks. It would be better for us to consolidate and make peace with each other. Speak up if you must. But you must also realise the consequences of your political actions to Dayak disunity, so please be careful!

Instead of the meaningless political infighting, I think we Dayaks should strive to make ourselves become more advanced. Each Dayak should strive to succeed in his endeavours, his job, education, etc. His individual success will be a significant contribution in elevating the status of the Dayak society. We should heed Chinese people as example or any other progressive society in this world.

CA
JJM Junior on June 30th, 2009 9:03 pm

Instead of the meaningless political infighting, I think we Dayaks should strive to make ourselves become more advanced. Each Dayak should strive to succeed in his endeavours, his job, education, etc. His individual success will be a significant contribution in elevating the status of the Dayak society. We should heed Chinese people as example or any other progressive society in this world.

_______________________________________________

I totally agreed with that last paragraph. Now, we are in big dilemma, even we the educated dayaks also not so sure which party to support and also whether or not to form a new dayak party?

With the current political uncertainties, we should not blame anybody of their stance on politics, supporting BN or opposition? And we also never blame for how cheap is someone’s net worth, whatever amount given by whoever care to exploit or not with bad intention or good, let it be.
At the moment or while waiting for Uban to step down at his last breath just leave everything to God and we do hope that after the change of leadership, dayak unity will get better and thereafter restore our rights to own NCR lands and also having equal opportunities in all fields.
Iban Abroad on July 1st, 2009 8:39 am

Who should lead PKR Sarawak ? VOTE for DJBA !

YB Dominique Ng (29%, 22 Votes)
Mr Granda Aing (16%, 12 Votes)
Mr Baru Bian (12%, 9 Votes)
YB Gabriel Adit (10%, 8 Votes)
None Of Above (8%, 6 Votes)
Mr Nicholas Bawin (8%, 6 Votes)
Dr John Brian Anthony (5%, 4 Votes)
Dr Michael Teo (5%, 4 Votes)
Mr Augustine Liom (4%, 3 Votes)
Mustaffa Kamil Ayub (4%, 3 Votes)
Hj Baharuddin Moksen (3%, 2 Votes)
Mr Jimmy Donald (1%, 1 Votes)
En Wan Zainal Wan Sanusi (1%, 1 Votes)
Mr Jawah Gerang (-6%
Iban Militant on July 1st, 2009 9:36 am

Race based party is obsolete to say the least.Partyless Dayak shoud seriously consider joining either PBB or UMNO.
changop4540 on July 1st, 2009 9:43 am

You can see the power struggle here in PKR. What does this means, it means everyone of these people want to hold the power and money.

Now it’s time to educate the voters to be more wiser. Treat your vote so precious that it must be converted to money. If these people ( politicians ) want your vote make sure they pay you upfront before the voting time or call it CBV-Cash Before Voting.

Actually you are the asset and you are valuable. Don’t believe promises do it in the “bedagang” way. Instill this “bedagang” mind in you “No money i will not vote for you”. This is not about selling your soul, money politics, your dignity, your integrity, your future generation because these words are rubbish as they are coming from people who want power and money. These words are extensively being abused by the politician so that you will feel guilty if you break them, and why should you? Every body are doing it be it a chinese, a malay but the difference may not be necessarily cash but they want the conducive environment for their businesses as they are excell in this field but the bottom line is money also.
abun sui on July 1st, 2009 9:56 am

A Penan family from Long Unai, Belaga that has been stranded in Kapit since April has caught the attention of both out beloved CM and Larry S’ng who donated cash.

But surprisingly no help or donation comes from the Dayaks community. While Dayakbaru spent days and night talking about how to help the community. Why not initial fund raising campaign to help the poor family. A clear case of omong-omong kosong!
Lachung Ajak on July 1st, 2009 1:03 pm

abun sui,

We have Welfare Department to look after the plight of the poor for the attention of the government.
Gerakan Kongress Dayak Malaysia on July 1st, 2009 2:53 pm

i’m Vote for DRJBA…
Meramat Tajak on July 1st, 2009 3:57 pm

Based on the feedback thus far, I still sense a paralysis. I have the following questions to ponder and comments on:

1. Shall we accept status quo, of having many but ultimately ineffective Dayak political parties ?

2. Is it because there are many Dayak political parties, that make them ineffective ?

3. Are existing Dayak politicians ineffective in looking after Dayak political interest ?

4. Is it fair for us to assume that current Dayak politician will be driven by natural instinct to look after Dayak political interest ?

5. Is there a compelling Dayak political interest(s) that an aspiring , presumably-Dayak, career politician can carry a torch for ?

Thanks in advance for any replies.
Igat jegak on July 1st, 2009 5:23 pm

Dayak Iban just could not be united. The abandonment of rumah dayak at Satok Road is a proof.

Lebih sepuluh taun you…you, bedau meh rumah dayak nya tembu. Pedih pending ninga bala katak belagu ba rumah dayak nya.
Keruak Tau Tepang on July 2nd, 2009 7:40 am

Enda iboh beleman nya, uji asoh sida Pweking nembuka rumah nya.