(From right) Ling, Chang, Wong and Lau greet guests at DAP Sibu’s Chinese New Year open house.
SIBU: The majority of Democratic Action Party (DAP) members in Sarawak are Dayaks, says Sibu MP Oscar Ling.
Ling, who is also DAP Sarawak committee member, said while he was unable to provide the actual figure, it was believed that the Dayaks constitute more than 60 per cent of DAP membership in Sarawak.
“Yes, our membership has increased after the 14th general election (GE14) compared with before.
“Also, many people still think DAP is for the Chinese, but actually in Sarawak, our members comprise various races and our Dayak members are more than the Chinese,” he said when asked on the total number of DAP members in Sarawak after the GE14 during DAP Sibu’s Chinese New Year open house at its premises in Rejang Park here yesterday.
Ling was also asked about the allocation of seats for DAP Sarawak’s Dayak candidates in the next state election, particularly in the Bumiputera-majority areas such as those in the central region of Sarawak.
“Of course we will place Dayak candidates in Dayak areas like Kapit, Katibas and Kanowit (Ngemah), including Pakan.
“In Kapit, we have several state seats, namely, Bukit Goram, Pelagus; and (in) Hulu Rajang (there are Baleh and Murum),” he responded.
However, Ling did not discount the possibility that the allocation of seats may follow the same arrangement as the last state election in 2016.
“We will see first – we are still open for discussion,” he added.
Lanang MP Alice Lau, Pelawan assemblyman David Wong and Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang were among those present at the event.