KUCHING: An Umno pro tem branch in the state yesterday came forward into the open to express their disappointment with certain local Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders for being nosey over Umno affairs in Johor.
Through a press statement yesterday, the branch secretary-general Abu Bakar Hassan said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing
had ‘unnecessarily and unconstitutionally’ encroached into Umno (United Malay National Organisation)’s affairs.
Abu Bakar even stated that PRS had no locus standi or prerogative over the affairs in Johor. He even challenged Masing, who is Land Development Minister, to debate with him on the issue at Padang Merdeka here.
“It would be more meaningful and beneficial for him and his party to assist in completing the stalled Rumah Dayak project at Jalan Satok Kuching which has not been completed until this very minute – whereby the construction started almost some 20 years ago. This issue should be addressed by Tan Sri James Masing and PRS if they want to champion the Ibans particularly Tan Sri James Masing himself as he is most senior Iban minister. Or has the Rumah Dayak project been sold to another party?” said the irate Abu Bakar.
“We also would like to once and for all ask Tan Sri James Masing and his PRS youth to categorically clarify by what locus standi can they bar us from exercising our constitutional right (see The Borneo Post – May 11 and May 14 2015, respectively). Or must we get their permission first?” he asked.
Abu Bakar even went to the extent of asking Masing to learn one or two things from Uncle Di (The Borneo Post columnist Sidi Munan) on what should constitute fair comment on any issue affecting the people in general.
Masing was among the few state BN representatives condemning Umno for proposing the setting up of a branch in Pasir Gudang for the socio-economic needs of the Dayaks working and/or residing in Johor. There are now between 30,000 and 40,000 Dayaks living in Johor, with most working in Johor or Singapore.
With such substantial number, the Dayak there felt that they had to accept the reality of their surrounding and Umno took the initiative to assist them through their political platform.
However, Masing and few others saw that as a subtle threat of Umno’s entry into Sarawak.
The issue could be a political myth but the fear is real as neighbouring Sabah is now under the rule of Umno and its local associated parties.