Entulu under fire
Posted by Jetty
The Borneo Post and SDNU forum
Deputy Minister for rural and regional development Joseph Entulu was severely criticised at a forum today (11 July 2009) for suggesting that the term “Dayak” be dropped as its connotation was uncivilized, uncouth and low class.
The forum, should the term ‘Dayak’ be dropped, was organised by The Borneo Post in collaboration with the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU).
Five panel speakers addressed some 150 participants, the majority of them were professionals, pensioners, businessmen and university students.
Dayak Term
SDNU publicity chief Dr. John Brian Anthony said that the term “Dayak” was used anthropologically to describe the natives of Borneo.
He said: “It is sillier to suggest dropping the term ‘Dayak’. He must be drunk. Otherwise he is playing to the gallery of those who are against the term ‘Dayak’.
“It is our intention to bring all the natives together under the name of Dayak, but there are people who think that the Dayaks are threat. That is why Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC) cannot be registered because it is considered a security threat to the nation,” he said.
SDNU which was formed in 1956 was considered as opposition organisation and because this organisation was being punished and no financial aids were given to it, he said, pointing out that the government gave funds to Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Orang Ulu National Union (OUNA) and other NGOs in order to spite SDNU.
It seemed, he said, that Entulu was given the job of bashing the Dayak community.
Slip of the tongue
Next speaker was Sidi Munan, president of Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA), who said that the dropping of term to say the least was stupid and lack of understanding of history.
“I am wondering whether it is a government proposal. It looks like it. It may be slip of the tongue, but coming from the heart,” he said.
Sidi recalled an incident in 1967 in which someone suggested that the term ‘Dayak’ be dropped.
“And there is something more than meets the eye,” he said, and warned of the legal, political and cultural implications and consequences especially in respect of I Malaysia concept.
“There will be no gawai Dayak and the Federal Constitution need to be amended. Thus it is more good than harm to retain the name in this context,” he said.
Ethnic Cleansing
Presenting his views next was Dr. Elli Luhat, deputy president of Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA).
He said: “If you want to get rid of the word ‘Dayak’ we are doing the work of others, that is, ‘ethnic cleansing’.
“And my advice to politicians is that if you proceed with the proposal to remove the word ‘Dayak’ you are creating problems and issues that will cause you to commit political suicide,” Elli said.
Dayak Is Synonymous With Borneo
Former Ambassador to Myanmar, Venezuela and Mexico, Datuk John Tenewi Nuek said that he was proud to be a Dayak and had never been humiliated for being so, pointing out that he traveled to several countries in his capacity as an officer of the foreign service.
He said that it was politically wise to retain the name as it provided a common umbrella for the various native groups to work and strengthen their political unity.
“Why should we change the word ‘Dayak’ which is already a brand name which gives us the best marketing strategy? Dayak is synonymous with Borneo.
“Dropping the name will be a step backward from the political, economic and cultural point of view,” he said.
Proud To Be A Dayak
Mering Wan from the Orang Ulu community said that he was proud to be a Malaysian, and prouder still to be a Dayak.
When the forum was opened to the floor, several participants spoke against the decision to change the term ‘Dayak’. - The Broken Shied
THE PANEL SPEAKERS (left to right): Sidi Munan, Dr Elie Luhat, Datuk John Tenewi Nuek, Assoc. Prof. Dr Andrew Aeria (moderator), Mering Wan & Dr John Brian
.JPG)
Participants
Dr. John Brian Anthony, publicity chief of SDNU and owner of Dayakbaru.com receives a memento from Mr M. Rajah of The Borneo Post
Popularity: 42% [?]
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Inspirational word from gkm2020
Our identity should not be erased. Once our identity were erased, we are considered dead and irrelevant. Tell me who want to kill us.
Probably Joseph Entulu is working for the others. Who is this others? You tell me. The truth is out there.
Hopefully all the dayaks will make Joseph Entulu irrelevant in the next election.
He will do anything 4 money!
Its a matter of choice for JE.He may not be popular among the Dayak community but he is being earmarked to Full Minister in the Federal cabinet.At the state level he is being groomed as a stop gap CM provided he can win PRS Presidency against Masing in the coming party TGM.IN shorts JE is being used as a political tools by BN leadership.
I beg to differ. I think YB Joseph Entulu has been very brave to pop this issue out.The “term” Dayak is irrelevant? OR the Dayaks are irrelevant? YB JE is a politician…er… politicians are always involved in controversies,the likes of Dr. Mahathir, DCM Alfred Jabu( an Iban DCM is an important post mind you)and who else?
Irrelevant? Not that Dayaks are irrelevant but look at us.Politically there is no party that stands out in protecting our rights eg. NCR land rights.
I totally agree that the “term” dayak be maintained and I bet my life on that. Who can take away my identity? But why am I an irrelevant?
Would I have been very relevant had I been born into this world as a Melanau/Malay/Muslim?
I think this is due for another discussion?
Now so many Dayaks shine out in championing the “term” Dayak. What?
I think YB JE has succeeded in his objective here. Congratulation YB.
Is SDNU giving a kick back to some politicians?
Then I suggest Sarawakian Dayaks kick out Datuk Alfred Jabu in the next election as a first step in the fight against irrelevancy!
Er…why didn’t Alfred Jabu and JE attend the seminar by SDNU.What? They weren’t invited?
At this juncture, the issue is full of bad intention and someone trying to pick political mileage as Dayak champion. Just because of a few crows giving generalised impression of Dayak (being uncivilised etc) and that is enough to send a Dayak leader to propose dropping the Dayak term, either this is simply unfair news quote or something else more sinister in grand scale.
Looking at it in a straight brain, this shouldn’t be an issue at all. Totally unnecessary, uncalled and nonsensical. It’s like asking a Chinese YB to drop the Chinese term because some Hakka hate to be group similarly with the perceived-barbaric Foochows as Chinese. Mind you, this Borneo Post Foochow-owned entity trying to muddle through this ridiculously unnecessary issue. How awkward it gonna be if a Dayak-own newspaper organised a similar treat, if ever happen instead, an issue to drop a ‘Chinese’ term? Can you believe that shit? No? Then why shit-stirring the Dayak term?
Dayak can be as progressive as other races, given equal opportunities and avenues. For Dayak politicians, there are many other ’stuffs’ that can make you an instant cult Dayak hero status. We all as dismayed with ‘Lain-Lain’ term as if the Dayak name is unrecognised, but in any form just simply request additional blank area to state your race to put the Dayak race or your Dayak sub-race. Why a fuss over some gomen form paper.
For goons like YB Entulu or YB Lee Han Jok’e, this type of proposal whether dropping or adopting new Dayak name, if you don’t bother to ask every single nearly 1 million Dayak and Orang Ulu then don’t even think about it. Much ado about nothing, really.
This is all but a typical ploy to divide-and-rule-and-destroy the Dayak. Next up maybe Entulu vs Masing rumours, disarray the PRS and redirect for quick SPDP-PRS merger. When all favoured goons in merged SPDP-PRS party, it shall be destroyed again by the same goons and finally PBB will resolved it all. Got it? PBB will got it all, pave the way for incoming Umno since none of Dayak left, all are subdued, castrated and happy with their self-interest crumbs like projects Datuk titles cronism nepotism etc. Keep the few top Dayaks happy while the 1 million Dayak, er.., pretend to be ‘happy’ also lah under Sarawak Umno.
It’s always the agenda and pre-planned to divide-and-rule-and-destroy the Dayak, to prolong Yang Dikasihi political dynasty be it under PBB or Umno. When PBDS-SNAP on the verge of total Dayak unity, own Dayak leaders being corrupted, delusionised and self-destructed into BN’s fold. What is MDC for BN to deny its registration now if not for some national security joke.
That is how easy to divide-and-rule-and-destroy the Dayak, and always be the same ploy be it dropping the Dayak term, Lun Daya-Orang Ulu fiasco, or deliberate BN Dayak party merger but disguised as evil anti-Dayak ploy. It’s all the same shit, different name.
For all intent and purpose, let us propose other more important ’stuffs’ for any Dayak leader wish to become a Dayak champion hero:
- reintroduce all-English missionary schools here (instead of some rich Dayak YB leaders can send their kids to UK, Australia or NZ to enjoy English education)
- Chinese schools as alternative education route for Dayak (rework, retrain Dayak DNA as calculative Chinese brain)
- Sibu-Song-Kapit-Belaga-Bintulu trunk road (or remain a Dayak fairy tale since Tun Jugah times) and that Serian-Sibu dual-carriage highway
- proper survey and titles to all Dayak lands, especially NCR lands. Establish NCR Land Commission as authority body to act also for proper study to evaluate, compare all plantation projects statewide (listed, private, semi-govt owned JVs) so far to determine the best model that offer the best returns for Dayak landowners
- purpose-built Dayak-only education scholarship funds (both private firm/govt jointly put in funds)
- each Dayak MP/DUN area must at least got or add more vocational centres like GiatMara, Kolej Komuniti, CIDB ABM college to train, capitalise on massive number of Dayak kid dropouts
- to declare nyabong gambling and severe binge alcoholism as haram, heavy jail offence with whippings/sebat
- each Dayak MP/DUN area must have proper agro-tech centre: to train, supply Dayak farmers with latest agro methods/ courses, distribute subsidise baja, promote contract farming, direct selling to federal agency like FAMA. All direct cash cow to Dayak farmers
- Buah Kepayang large-scale farming actually a state failure, an honest truth to all Dayak farmers
- special ministrial state department to look after churches (all Christian sects) and all their needs, maintenance, regulations, check and balance. All public donation to weekend mass will be subject to proper govt records to stop abuse by local ketua kampung or rebel church leaders or church committee members swindling church funds
- prominent Dayak posts from Temenggong to Tuai Rumah should be more open for Dayak voting, fit-and-proper test for each candidate, only real quality candidate allowed and not merely being political goons as direct appointments
- Dayak associations must be served best by non-politicians to really show they are apolitical or at least declare non-partisan stands. Dayak politicians already have respective political party enough to ride on.
- free electricity to all Dayak longhouses, kampongs by those mega dam projects. Why should the crony business or really Orang Luar tapi Orang Kita get the free stuffs first
- if almost-free electricity to the crony business is feasible then Sarawak would be the cheapest place to invest and put factory operations by other global MNCs, much more jobs created by SCORE factories combined instead the Dayak flocking to Singapore or Johor
no more comment we are still call Dayak only YAB Dayak From Sarawak should bring Bumiputra issue on application form that we are not Bumi in West Malaysia
If not for JE’s concern to raise the issue in public, the forum would not come. Somehow, he had seemed silly to phrase it in his own expression and words that reflect egoistic emotion for personal recognition. Has anyone advised him or just like a ‘leka kepayang ngadaka dilah’. The non-dayaks have been quiet about it for they too realized that their race should also share to live in harmony with other races. IMalaysia concept is not a mean to wipe another native term for other race to dominate.
It’s sad that some of our so-call Dayak YBs would not support for himself to be called a Dayak.
Dyaks,
I begged your pardon? Declare nyabong as haram? No,no its part of Dayaks raitual.
Just because someone amongst us stupidly proposed something stupid made us felt that dayak was under threat.
I read with interest some point brought-up by majority of the participants but so far did it bring any good to the dayak? For me the forum had became a venue for KTS to divert our strength from the main issues that affecting our communities for generations…the robbery of NCR Land by Tok Uban cronies (to include KTS the sponsor of the forum).
Our main objective is to unite the dayaks, set our brother in kalimantanm Indonesia as an example.
I wrote few articles condemning Barisan nasional Politic of Development for their approaches towards the dayak here http://www.bukittunggal.com/
Mupok aku
Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban
Remaung6Renjer
I am writing from the perspective of a non-alcoholic or cock-fighter and I am intentionally trying to belittle our so called ‘culture’ of nyabung and ngirup.
Dayaks are known for their hospitality and cordiality which are decent indeed and somethings that I am very proud of. Unfortunately, by being hospitable and cordial also mean ‘drinking’ and more often than not, it will be alcoholic beverages in the forms of tuak, beers, hard liquor, and langkau. If we look at this issue faced-on and to tell the world that this is a non-issue is to me, a very blatant act of lying on our part, the Dayaks.
I wonder, why can’t we, the Dayaks,and the Ibans especially talk or discuss anything just by drinking tea or coffee? Why do we need to drink tuak or other alcoholic beverages?
If YB Joseph Entulu equated the Dayaks with alcoholism and being alcoholic, I strongly concur or agree with him. It is not a shame to admit that alcoholism is a big problem amongst us Dayaks, especially the Ibans. Some of us might retort back, drinking ‘tuak’ is our culture and a part of us? This sort of excuses are not tenable and rather illogical for there are other forms of beverages that we can drink and serve to our guests or visitors, like coffee or tea, or cordials.
If YB Joseph Entulu denoted the term Dayak with procrastination, I deeply agree with him for we are procrastinators. We seldom take the chances to better ourselves and instead of acting we are good at delaying from doing something.
If YB Joseph Entulu equated the term Dayak with lackaidaisical attitude in education, I vehement agree with him for we, the Dayaks, especially the Ibans, are not taking education seriously. There is no better ways to change and to bring changes in our Dayak community other than through education, but sadly this we don’t take education seriously. Perhaps, you may say what a sweeping statement. I do have the moral standing to say so since I have been involved with education for more than 19 years and sadly too, I can count with my fingers the number of our Dayak students studying in the college, where I am teaching now.
In schools, especially during PTA’s meetings, I seldom see our Dayak mensfolk coming to the meeting. Is this the way of caring that we are good at? Being busy or other commitments are not the excuses for what’s more important, our immediate needs or the future of our children and indirectly, the future of our people, the Dayaks themselves?
YB Joseph Entulu call was ill-conceived and ill-uttered for it is not the term Dayaks that is wrong but the people, the Dayaks, themselves need changes and to change for the better.
Joseph Alexander Renang:
“There is no better ways to change and to bring changes in our Dayak community other than through education, but sadly this we don’t take education seriously. Perhaps, you may say what a sweeping statement. I do have the moral standing to say so since I have been involved with education for more than 19 years and sadly too, I can count with my fingers the number of our Dayak students studying in the college, where I am teaching now.”
Fair enough. But education to the Dayak, lacking focus as you saw it, shouldn’t be viewed as education embodied alone. Potential is the key. A Dayak kid may not excel in SPM but that doesn’t mean he is a total bum. He may as hardworking as a machine, and that is where the technical skill opportunity lies abound.
Why should private college/uni being pushed to promote junk degree PTPTN loans to rural Dayak high schools knowing their degree later on just worthless and saddled with PTPTN loan debt without any job? Very rare for vocational technical college private or semi-govt look for rural Dayak kids as recruit, let alone the scholarship or direct vocational training for later work at some offshore companies, it’s all equally education route (but alternative route) plus big sum of salary too. It’s not filthy job for a Dayak to open a car workshop, aircon repair shop, hair salon, tailor for contract govt uniforms, welding contractors, decorative iron fabricators shop etc. In fact, many Chinese tokeys rely heavily on highly skill Dayak workers to get their contract done. Gawai should be 1 week holiday as total respect for Dayak’s diligence.
The common perception of education is all but to become graduate lawyer doctor scientist etc should be changed a bit, knowing that Dayak would be easily influenced and risk them unnecessarily in PTPTN loan debt with junk degree. And that’s where the problem of job mismatch occur later, and how govt wasting more money to retrain the jobless grads. If Dayak can view education as whole range of opportunity be it white or blue collar jobs later on, then the human potential probably not gonna be a waste.
The only real waste is when Dayak corrupt politician being sponsored by cronies to send their kids to college or oversea university, whether their kids deservingly smart or not, in the end failed their study and finally end up ‘buying’ the degree, all sponsored by cronies, again.
To Brother Joseph Alexander Renang.
Greeting.
Just to highlight what we, as lecturer, could do at our tenure as EDUCATOR. I pasted my posting, just incase you miss my posting.
…………….
Once again, greeting to you China Chantung. Thanks for highlighting the issue written by Joe Alex Renang, a lecturer in IPTA.
Well, talking about the number of Dayak students in his workplace ya. One of the reasons that contributed to the number of student intake to any IPTA is the QUOTA…and I know that CC is aware of the fact that we dayaks are the least number of % intake into any IPTA. The reasons, among others is DISCRIMINATION. We Dayaks belong to BUMIPUTRA category but within BUMIPUTRA, do you believe me that we are OTHERS? Meaning to say, dayaks intake into IPTA is “Semadi Nadai aja”.
So, I trust that Joe, being a lecturer, can do something to the dayak students in his workplace.
1. Give at least 3.67 CGPA to all dayak students during his/her First Semester.
2. Give at least 3.67 to 4.0 GPA to all subjects to all dayak students in any subject he/she takes in any semester.
3. To make this happen, remember that, you are not successful if you could not help dayak students successful.
4. Worst scenerio, if, only if, cut down on marks on any subject of the others (If you feel that you need to make ways for the dayak students to be on top).
Yes, there are lots more ways to drop down other students esp on their attendances, handouts, assignments etc.
Well, I am talking through experiences when meeting, talking to and have a small chat with fellow lecturers and I am going to be a part time lecturer soonest at the Top 50 University in the World Ranking.
Oh yes, I was failed by the Ketuanan Lecturer during my initial U studies but when I realised that education is the most importance element in today’s life, using my own initiatives, without any help from anybody, I pursued and gained my degree and then my masters within 5 years. It is a self motivated from failure, failed by other races’ lecturers.
So, to those EDUCATORS, LECTURERS, remember that, you are the sole energy to enhance our dayaks despite the fact that most of the dayak students are / were being offered “less commendable course/major” and not engineering and high ranking courses.
Trust you all.
Regards.
Umbas mmeh nganu tudah JE. Peda aku iya nyau nadai pansut jaku; angka enda tau bejaku; angka mulut iya udah kena tepang enda tau bejaku.
Anang ka leluba ngumbai iban/dayak bukai nya alcoholics. Sida ngirup maya sida ka manchal lalu ngirup teh/kopi maya ke ka berandau ke menyana agi ga. Uji peda kitai urang bansa bukai. Suah agi aku meda tujah jamah sida nya ngelaban tin bir, botol wiski, botol arak etc lebih agi ari kitai bansa. Nadai meh bansa sida bejai ngumbai bansa diri alcoholics. Aku enda teirupka saki sida Jipun tang ai nya nadai kik ba sida Jipun. Uji ga bejalai ba lorong menua London alai kitai meda pemayuh Bar; nyau bakadungok bala sida tuan nuntom jebol bir, bitter, lager. Bisi kedua nya UDAH BULIH, nyau geguwil gegiyu bejalai, ambih ka telantakka tiang lampu, pun kayu, bejaku balat manchal ga. Nyau iya ke ngempu dunya.
Peda kitai ga pemalat sida Pilipin nyabong manok. Uji kin ke kitai deka meda kebun manok tichas sida ke belangkau ba padang ke bepuluh puluh ikar. Uji abas ga langkau pengamboh taji sida Pilipin. Dini dini ba Manila endang bisi langkau pengamboh taji.
Peda kitai ga aktiviti judi sida tuan, sida china; sida nya lebih agi ari kitai, nadai meh bala sida balat ka bejai bansa diri. Kapa ka nyaga tisi kain sida ke rindu ngereja pengawa ke dipeda kitai mapab. Enti iya enda ngeleda, nemu iya ngeleda jemah ila. Kini ke penunga iya enti iya enda jampat nemuai ke menua sebayan kin.
Uunggal Keruak Tau Tepang tauka Engkeruak Tau Tepang,
Minta ampun seduai dulu. Aku tu semina besekula abis darjah tiga suba. Minta padah ka seduai, nama reti `Entulu under fire`? Ba penemu aku tu `Entulu ditunu ` pia? Apo…nyampau meh pemedih Entulu nya.
Angka tau ga iya diempa panggang neh!
Endai deh unggal. Keruak nya pen aku tadi ga tang laban bisi siku agi keruak ke selalu ka nyaru aku nya alai aku nukar nama agai Engkeruak diatu.
Udah palau Entulu nya. Engka nadai pengawa agi ka digaga ba opis iya nya. Udah beratus taun kitai ngena leka jaku ‘Dayak’ kena kitai madah ka bansa diri empu. Proud to be Dayak!
P/S – Padah ngagai Entulu, uji iya bejako ka nama kabuah bansa Dayak pedis amat ka bulih kerja ba printah Sarawak, baka nyadi Engineer ba JKR. Asoh idup ka bansa Dayak, ukai bansa Cina!
Quote ari Pengarang ‘he must be drunk’ for uttering such words lalu minta term ‘Dayak’ di buai. Ba aku orang ke bejako bakanya baka Entulu nya ukai mabuk tang Mamau, gila lalu numbai diri lebih ari bansa Dayak bukai. Bakani ka orang menua Tatau/Tamin nemu betuai ke utai ke dadak baka Entulu nya????