Where do Dayak Stand Now in Malaysia?
Posted by Dr. john Brian Anthony
Low Intake of Dayak in Civil Service
We have discussed earlier about the low numbers of Dayak serving in the Civil Service. Does the low number of Dayak in civil service reflect their incompetencies, lack of qualification or is the government of Barisan Nasional with UMNO as a dominant force forget that Dayak is also a bumiputera as stated in the Federal Constitution under clause 153.
Does the government application form that require Dayak to fill in their race under “lain lain” affect their job application chances.(The detail of Dayak application and success rate is found under response to the earlier article of “Not Enough Dayak in the Civil Service”.
A Snap shot of 2 Department
in Kuching Police training Centre today, there are 857 police cadet, out of which there are only 5 Dayak in that group and about 16 Chinese. No mentioned was made on Indian. Now what is going on with this recruitment. Does it mean that Dayak do not have the qualification to become a policeman and could not meet the physical requirement for the job? Are the current Dayak policemen showing poor result and the decision NOT to recruit Dayak is because current Dayak policemen are inefficient, incompetent, corrupt and a coward in their job? Tell us the truth!
I remember those days, the government went to small town to get Dayak soldiers and policemen – what has change on the quality of Dayak as policeman?
In my interaction with the Dayak youth, there are so many with Form 5 and STPM qualification and they work as general construction workers etc. What qualification do you need to become a policemen? Does “race” constitute a qualification – and that is my point. If “race” is the determining qualification how do the government expect to have “racial harmony” in Malaysia in the future. Who is planting this seed of racial disharmony? It is UMNO people – and they are leading the country.
2nd Department
One only have to look at Jabatan Kerja Raya Senior Officer list in Sarawak- out of 80 Senior officer in Sarawak only 8 are Dayak! That is 3 Iban, 4 Bidayuh and 1 Orang Ulu. We Dayak are becoming “rare species” in our own country civil service after we get our independence. Is it independence for us – or does this mean we have to struggle to get our independence from our independent country?
I personally know of 5 Dayak engineers, out of which 2 graduated from reputable overseas Universities that are not working in permanent employment. They work on short 3 -6months contract on road building, construction site etc. What happen to the Engineer position in JKR, is it reserve for MALAY only or is it open to those who are qualified.
Scholarship and Educational Loan Implementation
Does the “racial bias” of awarding scholarship and providing study loan fro Yayasan Sarawak affect what we witness to day? The answer seem to be “yes” it is a design by the UMNO / Malay government to ensure Malay 1st class position and progress, but why leave the Dayak out of the equation as these category of people are still lagging far behind in progress?
If this trend continues, where will the Dayak be in the future of Malaysia. The Dayak may end up as the lowest. most under developed, poorest category of people in Malaysia.
Is it a sin to be the native minority and is it a misfotune to be Dayak in Sarawak specifically and Malaysia?
To the Dayak Elected Representative and Ministers
This is not a warning, but all of you better listen up. We know that our Dayak community is part to blame for all these, but you who we have elected must play a positive role. The Dayak political leaders cannot behave like they must be treated like god and must be listen to only. We elected you as a team to help us progress. Do not divide yourself into political lparties. You must act as ONE to lead us to progress.
Our Dayak community elect their representative not based on wanting broad policies, enablers etc, we need micro managing and close support to get out of this problem.
We do not want to wait anymore on promise “we will work slowly within the system” and “we must be sensitive to the need of others”. The provessssss are all around us for all to see. We are lacking in every front and the Dayak communities are ready to support you – but you must lead. Keeping your mouth shut and trying to please YAB Taib Mahmud for the sake of your personal well being is NOT going to help Dayak.
Do not feel great by giving Minor Rural Project to Dayak – aim higher
We Dayak youth for now has not put the sole blame on Dayak leaders, there are still rooms albeit small now for you to improve. Jabu, Mawam, Manyin, Billy and James – you better buck up and do your work to lead the community and stop behaving like you are the King of England. Stop belittling your own people. Say positive things to bring their values upward.
Ministers and YB – do not feel great by giving the low hanging fruit to Dayak – the minor rural project allocation. You must move to a higher level by leading Dayak communities to achieve progress as a people. Provide the basic support structure – to finance Dayak economic transformation, create Dayak education fund to support Dayak knowledge creation, be bold with helping the public service to correct the deficiency in the civil service. Sarawak opportunities should be given to Sarawakian as a priority and not hijack by Malay from West Malaysia. Najib should be told and advise of our Dayak status today by you as elected representatives.
Give us justice and fairness as part of being Malaysian
No need to be nice anymore. We Dayak are not living in a nice environment now in Malaysia. If politic through Barisan Nasional and damocratic process cannot produce the “fair” progress that Dayak youth demand from being an independent country, then we have to go back to basic where Dayak communities have thrive for many hundred years.
It is a long shot, but it is still an option when everything fail.
If Dayak want to move forward, you must:
- understand where you have been
- what you are today
- where do you want to go.
There is no short cut to the above three questions. We must address this issue together – not about through which channel ( eg. Barisan Nasional/ Pakatan Raayat) but through an effective Dayak forum. The BN especially do not start labeling those with idaes as anti – government. Tan Sri Jabu is fond of doing that and that is what he must not do now. It is only creating negativity in Dayak – Jabu might think that he has been the Deputry Chief minsiter after so long, and that is a fact to consider why are we Dayak not talking on one platform – it is because we are not approaching our problems solution as a Dayak group.? Or is everyone wanting to be a hero and everyone want to have their takings. Work for the community please and lessen your personal money agenda.
Conclusion
Dayak frustration is growing everyday and despite that many of us Dayak Youth that I know off are putting in effort to help the community and remained positive. We need our political leaders to bring us together . At association levels we are trying to group ourselves to provide platform to find solution to our problem. Politician please do not break or undermine our effort. If you feel that your position in Taib cabinet or supporter book is threaten just keep quiet and let us do our work.
If we continue not to be able to work and discuss Dayak issues on one platform due to political leaders interference we would be left with little option but to revamp Dayak leadership.
Dayak Youth stand up and be counted to help our people.
Dayak Baru
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