KUCHING, Nov 1 — A dozen Dayak professionals and activists joined Sarawak DAP today ahead of state elections that will likely see an uphill battle against Barisan Nasional (BN) under Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s leadership.
The group was led by native customary rights (NCR) land lawyer Paul Raja, comprising other members like lawyer Ali Basah, company managing director Granda Aing, retired Lieutenant commander of Navy Robert Tella, former university lecturer Douglas Alau Tayan, who is also a nephew of former federal minister Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Dayak National Congress secretary-general Richard Lias and a founding member of Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA), Philip Tero.
“We found that the DAP is in the best position to fight for the community,” Raja told reporters here at a membership ceremony witnessed by DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang.
Raja said the group was happy with DAP leaders for agreeing to accept its Dayak Blueprint that will form the basis for change in Sarawak, should the opposition win in the upcoming state elections.
He said the key points of the blueprint are on the strengthening of Dayak politics, NCR land reform, national indigenous development policy, native human capital development, infrastructure and information development, Dayak identity and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Raja accused Barisan Nasional parties (BN), including those from Sarawak, of failing the Dayak community.
“After 52 years of the formation of Malaysia, the community has been ignored, forgotten and marginalised by the Barisan government,” he said.
“Our Dayak leaders do not dare to speak out for the community when it matters the most, but prefer to play safe for fear of losing their jobs,” the lawyer added.
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the group of new members will help boost the DAP’s rural drive as some of them are expert in their own fields and active Dayak rights activists.
“It is also a testimony that the DAP’s struggle for fairness and progress for all races in Sarawak and Malaysia is gaining recognition not only among the Chinese community, but also the Dayaks of Sarawak,” he said.
