Puzzling silence from some community leaders

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AS a Sarawakian I applaud our state government for making a strong stand on the recruitment practice of Petronas which gives low priority to people in our state.

This has gone on for far too long and we have kept quiet all this while so it is high time that we put our foot down on this issue and demand that our state get our fair share of benefits from the extraction of oil and gas in our state waters.

It is heartening to see many of state and community leaders especially Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem speaking up strongly against this unfair policy of our national oil corporation.

So far besides our chief minister, leaders from almost all communities and parties across the political divide had stood up and be counted in confronting Petronas over the low number of Sarawakians employed in its operation especially in our own state.

I say ‘almost all’ because sadly some leaders from communities have not spoken a word on the on-going issue.

Most notably is the deafening silence of senior leaders of the Bidayuh community.

Regardless of their political affiliation it is sad that they have chosen to stay on the sidelines in the debate over such an important issue that affects the state.

Their words on the subject would mean so much not only for the Bidayuh community but for the state as a whole because we are all united in our stand on this wrangle over employment opportunities for Sarawakians with Petronas.

As the saying goes, ‘It is better late than never’. I appeal to Bidayuh community leaders to make their stand clear on the Petronas employment recruitment policy.

Their continued silence could seriously harm their credibility as community leaders.

 

True blue Sarawakian