Dayaks having Insufficient representatives in ministerial posts

达雅友族对部长职位的分配有微言，大部分都给了土保党的土著翼。

The state government under GPS is very unstable in their stand when as appeared in the press (FMT) on 2 March, Douglas Uggah Embas, “We gave our support to Muhyiddin Yassin as the prime minister but we did not form part of the Perikatan Nasional government,” Now, GPS is joining the federal government the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg (Star Online 7 March 2020) said the federal government is named as Perikatan Nasional-GPS federal government.

Contrary to what we know, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin never named the present government as Perikatan Nasional-GPS federal government. If this is the name of the present federal government, it is definite that this government is not sensitive to the feelings of the people of Sabah. What we know is that this name was announced by the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg only.

All four federal ministers, namely, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (Works Ministry), Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (Domestic Trade & Consumerism), Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar (Entrepreneur and Co-operatives) and Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (Tourism, Arts and Culture) are all from PBB. Except for Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, the three of them are all from Bumiputera wing of PBB.

The dayaks community are not happy with these appointments and many came to see Parti Bumi Kenyalang to voice their grievances as the community felt that they are underrepresented in the federal cabinet. They are of the view that the dayaks deputy ministers being made deputy ministers II, would only be passengers in the federal cabinet. They do not see the Partyless Deputy Minister YB Ali Biju, could play a major in the Cabinet.

The Chinese community is also not happy because none from Sarawak is appointed a minister. If Ministers could be appointed through the backdoor by having them becoming senators of the Senate in Parliament, there is no reason at all that there is no representation at all from the Chinese community from Sarawak in the federal cabinet.

If PBB is fair to other members of the GPS component party, PBB should relinquish at least one minister’s post and support Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, President of PDP to take a full ministerial post. Is the principle of equality, fairness and justice practised by PBB against the members of GPS?

After all, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is elected and should be eligible to hold a full ministerial post. Being a very senior Member of Parliament with five terms under his belt, this shows that GPS and the Perikatan Nasional shows little respect to Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. It time for Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his party to reconsider their positions in the GPS.

Likewise, SUPP being no one being made even a deputy minister shows that SUPP is a passenger in GPS only. How could SUPP be able to command confidence of Sarawakians, particularly, the Chinese community when most of the time SUPP who claimed to protect Chinese interest, failed to secure a post in the federal cabinet?

By supporting the backdoor federal government, it is unbelievable that there is no backdoor appointment for SUPP to be represented in the federal cabinet. SUPP should rethink its position and leave GPS to fight for Sarawakians from outside. Else, talks will go around that SUPP leaders are more interested in preserving their ministerial positions in the state cabinet rather than interested in the welfare of the people of Sarawak.

The people of Sarawak had rejected BN, PAS and UMNO in GE14 and now GPS by joining them in the federal government. GPS will have to pay a huge price in coming state elections. By joining the federal cabinet, the GPS government will hear the voice of people of Sarawak louder through Parti Bumi Kenyalang in search of independence and freedom for Sarawak.

VOON LEE SHAN
President,
Parti Bumi Kenyalang