Jabu admiring the sape given to him as a souvenir from Dennis (third right).
MIRI: The differences in race and sub-ethnic and tribal groups and also geographical factors, particularly in political views and alliances, make it hard for the Dayak community to join the mainstream with other communities.
Admitting it was not an easy task, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang at a Sarawak Kayan Association (PKS) dinner here on Friday, reminded the Kayan, including the Orang Ulu community who are a sub-group of the Dayaks, to subscribe to the success of the Federation of Orang Ulu Malaysia (Forum) in uniting its own kind.
“The government wants us to work together to enjoy the common good of the state’s progress,” said Jabu, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Development Minister.
“Tonight, I will be very frank to you… the backwardness of our Dayak community is because we have not been able to work together due to racial differences, religion and worse still, political affiliations,” he added.
Jabu, however, said the Dayak are now beginning to see the light in being united politically and to work together or be left behind with urban people making the most progress and the Dayak community in rural areas left behind.
“The government has a noble idea to get all the races working together, more so the Bumiputeras who form the majority living in rural areas, and be given the opportunity for a brighter future,” he added.
“We have a measure of progress but are still short of the target, which I take as a good sign because we the Dayak people are begining to realise the importance of working together, in co-operation, more so with the Bumiputera communities of Malays and Melanaus as we stand to benefit because the bulk of representation in the (state) government have got the majority seats,” he added.
To demonstrate the value of unity for a bigger voice, Jabu said they have succeeded in securing extra seats that are meant for rural people who are under-represented.
“Previously, we didn’t have enough representatives in the State Legislative Assembly for a voice to represent the people. With these extra seats,
I believed you are going to be well represented, provided that you work together, co-operate with each other and be united,” he said.
Also present at the dinner were Kayan Association Sarawak president Dennis Ngau, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Miri Resident Anthonio Khati Galis, Senator Lihan Jok, Forum chairman Gerawat Gala, Temengong Elizabeth Deng, paramount chief of Kayan community, Datuk Hassan Sui from the Penan community, political secretary to the chief minister, Robert Laing Anyi, and organising committee head Harris Jau Wan.