‘Dayaks capable of deciding own future’

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SIBU: The future of the Dayaks will not be jeopardised as the BN is committed to safeguarding their interest and welfare, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said.

Refuting the so-called ‘game plan’ to break up the community voiced out by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, he said Dayaks were capable of deciding their own future.

“What makes him (See) think that he is qualified to decide the destiny of Dayaks?

“BN will look after the Dayaks who will continue to give full support and confidence in BN. Rest assured that despite some differences, we will make sure it won’t jeopardise our future,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) told The Borneo Post yesterday.

See has reportedly said the possible formation of more Dayak based political parties is another ‘game plan’ by BN to further split the Dayak community.

State PKR vice chairman said that since 1980s, there had been so many Dayak based political parties formed mainly to split the community.

He claimed that such a move was to ensure that the community was as divided as possible.

Meanwhile, state Legislative assembly (DUN) deputy speaker and Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn laughed off See’s allegation, describing it as “his own imagination”.

“Why should BN be doing that as it is of no benefit. The BN want to get all the Dayaks together rather than splitting them.

“As you can see, BN has been gathering all the Dayak parties together hence, no reason why BN would want to cause a split,” Sagah said.

He added that BN would not gain by splitting the Dayaks who had been staunch supporters of BN.

This was clearly evidenced in the just concluded parliamentary election where rural folk threw their support solidly behind BN, said Sagah.

“The accusation that BN is doing this (game plan) is ridiculous and totally baseless. From beginning, BN has gathered the Dayak parties together.

“Most of the Dayaks are in the rural constituencies who give strong support to BN. Hence, there is no reason why BN want to do this (splitting the community),” he said.

Meanwhile, SPDP deputy secretary-general Paul Igai said it may be easy task to register a political party but it was a very daunting task to administer and maintain.

“It demands a tender loving care at all levels and at all times,”Igai said.