Only the Bidayuhs don’t have representative in federal cabinet

By Peter Sibon, EASTERN TIMES

The president of Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Ik Pahon Joyik, supports the call by former DBNA president, Dato’ Peter Minos, urging the Federal government to consider appointing one of the three Members of Parliament from the community to the Federal Cabinet.

“As Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe is no longer a Deputy Minister in the Federal Cabinet, the Bidayuh community in Sarawak has no representation in the Cabinet. The community would like to appeal to the Federal government to relook and consider appointing one of the three MPs from the community to the Cabinet,” Ik Pahon told the Eastern Times here yesterday.

He said that such an appointment was very significant and symbolic to the community to voice their needs such as roads, education, health and assistance for the community’s cultural and traditional enhancement.

He pointed out that as the second largest Dayak community, the Bidayuhs should be represented just like the Iban and Orang Ulu communities.

“The Ibans have one full minister in the person of Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas (Minister of Natural Resources and Environment) and three deputy ministers in the persons of Datuk Joseph Salang (Deputy Minister of Energy, Water and Communications), Joseph Entulu (Deputy Minsiter of Rural and Regional Development) and Jelaing Mersat (Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs). Dato’ Jacob Dungau Sagan from the Orang Ulu community had been appointed as the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry.”

On Friday, Minos had made an appeal to Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to reconsider appointing one of the Bidayuh MPs to the Federal post.

“As a Bidayuh myself, it is truly regrettable that my community has no deputy minister in the Federal Cabinet. Not that a deputy minister can do wonders or miracle but his appointment would be a big respect and a recognition by the Federal Government. A Bidayuh deputy minister in Kuala Lumpur is highly symbolic, a sign that the Federal Government knows and recognises the existence of the Bidayuh community in the country,” said Minos, a highly-respected Bidayuh leaders who is also a newspaper columnist.

He added that the Bidayuhs sincerely hoped that the Prime Minister would take notice and make a review and appoint either Dato’ Dr James Dawos or Datuk Richard Riot as a deputy minister.

“Both are able and willing and they carry the aspirations and hopes of the Bidayuhs at the federal level,” said Minos.

He said if the issue was resolved and the Bidayuhs were represented in the Federal Government, this would give the community a greater reason to back the BN in the State election scheduled either in 2010 or 2011.

The three Bidayuh MPs are Datuk Richard Riot Jaem (SUPP-Serian), Dato’ Dr James Dawos Mamit (PBB-Mambong) and Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe (SPDP-Mas Gading).

Comments (11)

...
written by Hope4all, March 23, 2008 12:08:21

Bidayuh MP Richard Riot not crossing over..

http://thestar.com.my/news/sto...sec=nation

report abuse

disagree 1

agree 2

...
written by HARIMAU BIN ABDULLAH, March 23, 2008 12:42:43

What for give voice? Why not give millions and billions instead?
Santubong MP said: "Nothing to gain from being a federal minister"

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 3

...
written by krising1, March 23, 2008 13:49:52

Yes, I agree. Bidayuhs must have a representation in the cabinet. Otherwise the 3 have a right to cross-over. It is not immoral to do so whne your community is neglected. Come on loud mouth Nazri - resign and make way for a Bidayuh.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 4

...
written by omarkhayyam, March 23, 2008 13:53:28

Haiyah, BN considers you guys irrelevant lah, after all this years still cannot realise ah?

then how ? just continue lohh working within da "system" which is flawless as Nazri claims in Al Jazeerah

cheers

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 4

...
written by gorshan, March 23, 2008 13:55:24

will we ever stop flashing the racial cards?
so whats next?
representation at federal level for all ethnic tribes in sarawak too?

points to ponder

main politik bangsa
negara gurantee binasa

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 3

...
written by temanmu, March 23, 2008 14:54:07

AAB cannot tell the difference between the different Bumiputera Orang Asli ... what he is looking for is support for his sinking ship!

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 2

...
written by HARIMAU BIN ABDULLAH, March 23, 2008 14:57:59

The ship is already sinking, and yet they are still fighting among themselves on board.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 3

...
written by RichPoon, March 23, 2008 18:07:02

if bn treats everyone equally, there is no need for each community to seek representation in the cabinet.....because of their failed policy of favouring one race, the current situation will further sap the strength of bn!

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 3

...
written by Abot Naros, March 23, 2008 18:45:52

We Bidayuhs, even though we are the second or third(?)largest native community is small and we are divided and shared out among the BN component parties , PBB, SUPP, SNAP, etc..how do we expect to be represented? Badawi will say we have all the representations from the ministers in the BN component parties !! Fat hope Badawi will give us a second of his time. The little noises from sarawak is the last and the least thing on his mind when he has thundering internal troubles indoors , next door. We Bidayuhs and ALL the natives of Sarawak must now wake up and speak at the next election!! We have been sleeping for the last many many years. Sabah and Sarawak natives were king makers at the last general election , but it did not matter . There is no appreciation , no gratitude. Because we owe our existence to KL so we must and are expected to continue to worship the powers that be in Petra Jaya and Putra Jaya . We Bidayuhs are very kind , very simple minded , very trusting and undemanding. We beg for favours and mercy when we are badly treated ! We were almost wiped out by head hunting until Rajah Brooke mercifully saved us from eternal extinction. Who will save us from political extinction, we are waiting for political salvation , but NO credible leadership has yet to surface. The powers that be will continue to ensure that there SHALL be no bidayuh, Iban or native unity for obvious reasons

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 6

...
written by batsman, March 23, 2008 22:16:00

Learn to play politics.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 1

...
written by Daryl, March 24, 2008 08:17:46

BN government only protect their own kind which is color blind. BN kind are those from UMNO, cronies, and other parties in that order. So, if BN's choose a Bidayuh probably only that Bidayuh and his/her cronies will become rich. All others will end up like majority of the Malaysians that are not UMNO or BN cronies or other BN's parties. These majorites are marginalized and kick to the sidewalk without representations... If you let it heppen than it is your fault don't blame others because you choose BN.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 0