Fair policies will make everyone happy — Minos

KUCHING: Former Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datuk Peter Minos hopes the new Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang will be fair to everyone in the area. He said Lo must not abandon the economically-less endowed and the disadvantaged group.“It is when a group feels aggrieved or marginalised, or even being neglected, that a sense of unhappiness sets and sinks in. In beautiful Sarawak, there is no need for any group to be unhappy, provided all are treated fairly and justly,” he said.

Minos, who is also PBB deputy information chief, was responding to the appointment of Lo, who is also SUPP Kota Sentosa secretary, to succeed Tan Joo Phoi who was appointed Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department on April 2.

Prior to Lo’s appointment, Minos was one of the those who had called for the post to be given to a Bidayuh as there were many Bidayuh villages under MPP which were in need of development and better infrastructure.

Minos, when contacted yesterday, said it was too early to comment on Lo.

“I do not know how those (Bidayuh) in (MPP areas of) Padawan – Penrissen or Bengoh, are reacting to the news regarding the appointment (of Lo),” he said.

Nonetheless, he felt the Bidayuh generally welcome the news with an ‘open heart’ because they were still rejoicing with the recent appointment of Datuk Richard Riot, the only Bidayuh member of parliament in SUPP, as the new Deputy Foreign Minister.

Riot, the MP for Serian, was made Deputy Minister after 20 years as ‘ordinary MP’ following recommendation made by SUPP.

“The Bidayuh are generally happy with Datuk Richard Riot’s appointment. That was a pleasant surprise and a nice Gawai gift,” he said.