PBK chief: Federal Cabinet reshuffle should increase Dayak presence with focus on Bidayuh, Orang Ulu inclusion

Voon Lee Shan

KUCHING, Dec 14: There should be more Dayak representation, from either the Bidayuh or Orang Ulu communities, in the latest Federal Cabinet reshuffle, says Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan.

In a statement issued today, Voon claimed that there have been feedbacks of dissatisfaction from the Dayak community regarding the latest Federal Cabinet reshuffle, given that there are qualified Dayak members of Parliament (MPs) or individuals capable of assuming ministerial roles.

He mentioned that they could become Senators and later hold ministerial positions.

“(The) Dayaks are a big population in Sarawak. Apart from (Works Minister) Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi and (National Unity Minister) Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) should at least include a Bidayuh or an Orang Ulu in the Cabinet.

“It seems that the Dayak community has been marginalised. The Prime Minister should be sensitive to the huge Dayak population in the Sarawak.

“Without the Dayak community’s support, there would be no Malaysia. Without the Dayak’s support, it is doubtful that GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) could form the government, and without GPS, the Prime Minister could not form the Unity government,” Voon emphasised.

Furthermore, he pointed out the absence of Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak representation in the Federal Cabinet, despite the presence of numerous National DAP ministers and deputy ministers in the reshuffled Cabinet.

He suggested that there should be at least one representative from DAP Sarawak in the Cabinet, as there are far too many from GPS lawmakers representing Sarawak.

“GPS should give way to DAP Sarawak to represent Sarawak in the Federal cabinet.

“This (absence) also demonstrates that DAP Sarawak is no longer relevant in representing the Chinese voice in the Federal cabinet,” he asserted. — DayakDaily