Dayak Democratic Rights

Written by Dr. John Brian Anthony

My concerned

I am concerned that they are people who do not like to hear Dayak views, thoughts and opinions. It seems that if Dayak do highlight their concerns, they are immediately branded as “negative” and even “anti-development” and even “opposition”. I do not believe that many Dayakbaru are members of any opposition party.

The Dayakbaru views would differ a lot from the rural Dayak as a result of their exposure to multi-source of information and their life experience as they go through life in urban setting. The government should be mindful of their approach in dealing with these Dayakbaru in the urban areas and Universities. These Dayakbaru are people who are economically independent and with abilities to meet their current urban requirement.

It is not advisable to look down on them and detest their presence in real life or in this cyber world.

Why is it so difficult for those in authorities to hear the Dayak out? Is there anything for them to hide or are Dayakbaru considered a threat to the power of the current Dayak political leaders.

The Change process

The “Change” is happening now throughout Sarawak. The first change is the migration of rural population to urban areas to engage in gainful employment careers and seeking new opportunities that may be available in town as there is nothing the “rural environment” could offer as yet. Working as plantation labourer is not a choice.

This new urban migration of Dayak bring about change which is not limited to socio-economics areas but politics as well. The new migrating population would hold a different views about themselves and their communities basing on comparison of : employment opportunities, income, property ownership, educational aspects, value system, personal success and even their democratic rights. The migrating rural population is learning new information, knowledge and learning from their direct experience of living in town and growth areas.

The same scenario is happening to Malays in West Malaysia as UMNO discovered that they are no more in control of the mind of the new Malay voters. The new Malay voted based on different needs, expectation and purpose. Immediately, the nett effect is on the change in political balance of power in West Malaysia today.

In Sarawak, this is happening albeit at a much slower pace. Those holding power currently should start to recognize this new voice. Instead of the government trying to deflect these Dayabaru thoughts and expectation of the ruling government, the government should try to understand the underlaying factors of Dayakbaru resentment towards BN State government.

Inclusive rather then exclusive

Exclusive mean – less attention would be given to development in areas that differ in opinion with the BN government. Threats, name calling, blacklisting are all tools that is going to be obsoleted soon. The education of urban Dayak will bring knowledge / thinking and the pursuance of personal vision would generate comparison of what is fair and what is exclusive in Sarawak. That would be a telling factor on how they would vote depending on their understanding of their environment and situation.

By being inclusive, the government would learn to respect the views of the people. Instead of creating a “win lose situaton” those who are really trying to help the Dayak should create an environment of engagement with those with difference views and value system. Taking the stance of “power” in a discussion / interaction would only drive away those people who are trying to unite in the name of Dayak’s progress.

Is it wrong to blame the government?

The same question apply to the government – why are the government blaming the people for not wanting to give their 100% support for their development programmes eg. plantation and dams, to help the people. The Dayakbaru felt just development is a picture of injustice, self enrichment of certain political leaders and deprivation of Dayak well being. All these pointed out to Dayak beleieved that their Wakil Rakyat can help them to voice their views. Unfortunately, the Wakil Rakyat are not able to convince the Dayak of their ability to represent them.

It is therefor the democratic rights of the Dayak to elect their DUN representatives and therefor they have the rights to expect them to perform.

Unfortunately, the believe system is: the Dayak YB wanted the Dayak to bow to them and honor them for winning the “high position”. In the Chinese community, they demand that their Wakil Raykat work for them and if they do not perform they will vote them out in the next election.

Time will tell

I believed that time will come and the sooner it comes the better when Dayak will vote out those non-performing Dayak Wakil Rakyat irrespective of which party they represented. The Dayak need to make their Wakil Raykat accountable to them to deliver on their promised. If they do not deliver to expectation – vote them out.

What we see now is the effort of certain people who try to make sure that the Dayak should not hold their Wakil Rakyat accountable. They wanted the Dayak not to question their leaders and seek clarification. They do not want to hear suggestion from Dayak and those close to power put their best effort to prevent the voters from meeting Dayak Ministers to voice out their needs.

Conclusion

This is a big topic and I choose to stop at this point to allow for Dayakbaru to expand on their thoughts on the democratic rights of the Dayaks and why it should be encourage instead of being “shutdown”.

It is important that the Dayak should actively participate in the democratic process and exercise their democratic rights without interference from fellow Dayak.

Change WE Must.

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November 6, 2009 · Filed Under Politic

Comments

6 Responses to “Dayak Democratic Rights”

Dayak Democratic Rights : Dr. John Brian Anthony ~ www.dayakbaru.com | Malay Today on November 7th, 2009 6:24 am

[...] the original post: Dayak Democratic Rights : Dr. John Brian Anthony ~ http://www.dayakbaru.com Share and [...]
changop4540 on November 7th, 2009 1:22 pm

Doc,

Are you saying that the Dayaks are deny to vote? I don’t know what more rights that the Dayaks want, after being given the privileges to acquire vast land like the NCR, the bumiputera status and able to invest in ASB, ASN, getting scholarship, free text books, not paying for school fees, MRP handouts, not paying taxes at all for their crops, pepper, rubber, palm fruits that they reap from the NCR, not paying cukai tanah, cukai pintu and those who rearing livestocks can do at their free will in their land and agriculture, vertinary department just shut two eyes on non proper containment of wastes from their breeding ground.
If you compare yourselves to our chinese, indians friends who were deny all the “privileges” we are lucky to be amongst the top class citizen in Malaysia. But then again, in reality it was the chinese, indians who own most shops, clinics, legal firms, most numbers having square head, having most monies in the bank.

Why, what went wrong?
The answer probably lies in the comment posted by DL in “evolution theory “, the Dayaks are derive from the less inteligence Apes. Or if you believe in the “creation theory ” the God create us much later than the indians and chinese, and they have the advantages of being exposed to the world earlier than the Dayaks they can visualise what is going to happen next. In this case they know what to do in the event that things are not going their ways.

Full ministership are given to the Dayaks at state and national level? Your blog are allowed to openly criticize the Gomen and Gomen just ignored it. If you try to do this to Robert Mugabe, for sure you will get arrested or maybe send to exile. This is enough proof that the Gomen are practicing freedom of speech.

Every five years the Gomen are returning the power to the electorate and all Dayaks are given their rights to choose their representative.
Base on my arguments the BN has given Dayaks more rights than what they deserved.
soi on November 7th, 2009 3:51 pm

changop4540, your statements has already provided enough proof as to why BN gomen is suppressing dayak rights. anybody in the whole world can criticize robert mugabe. but that is talk only. the same can be said towards our present BN gomen. it seems you only allow dayak to talk only, not taking actions. just like what you are doing right now, to criticize DB blog. dayak rights are being suppressed ,how could you call that freedom?
Lachung Ajak on November 7th, 2009 3:59 pm

changop 4540,

Yes, I agree with you that dayaks got everything from the government. Do you ever realised that dayaks make up 42 per cent of Sarawak`s 2,5 millions population, and by right our share for everything from the government should be 42 per cent. However, what we get are less than 15 per cent in civil service, business licences, scholarships, education and bla..bla. For your info, my father is paying land rent, house rent in kampong, not free as you have said. To me, you like to see dayaks to be sidelined in any government policy. Those are the things we are complaining in this blog, nothing to do with people right to vote. I bet you, if BN wins the election in Sarawak, a Dayak will never be appointed to be a Chief Minister. The reason is simple, dayaks are splitting in so many political parties.
BlackJack on November 7th, 2009 4:03 pm

So unggal Changop4540 apear to be one of the Dayak doesn’t like to hear Dayak views.
I agreed with Doc.don’t think DB are really opposition. In actual fact they are helping the ruling Party to improved themselves to patch up the pot holes. but the problem is that they doesn’t catch the whole idea and to some extant they even deny it.
It’s so pity this give us no choice but voice these out in the blog the problems face by Dayak that’s you( the Ape if you wanted to be refer as one )and me.
Do you give you brother a snake if he ask for a fish ?
Do you kick your brother back when he come and ask for help?
Pala Tekura on November 7th, 2009 7:50 pm

Changop 4$,

For you info, my life as a dayak is not like what you said. I Pay my tax, i pay may land tax,and i pay my cukai pintu. All your statement is rubbish. For me, your opinion is blind. Your statement just support one side like “dacin patah” that need to be replace next year. For me, Robert Mugabe is no different with your ” Yang dikasihi”. Ngarap ka ia cepat parai.