By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 6: Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, has criticised a recent survey on the performance of Dayak ministers and deputy ministers as having an “insignificant” sample size and lacking in constructive solutions.
The survey was conducted by Professor Dr Jayum Jawan, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and a member of the National Unity Advisory Council (NUAC), who collected responses from Dayak netizens on the approval ratings of 18 selected Dayak ministers and deputy ministers at the federal and State levels.
In the survey, Jayum said that of the 18 Dayak ministers and deputy ministers evaluated, only three scored approval ratings of 50 per cent and above and likened it to a ‘wake-up call’.
Penguang, who was also evaluated in the survey with an approval rating of 46 per cent, said that the number of respondents (183) was not significant enough to draw any credible conclusions about the performance of ministers or deputy ministers.
“As an individual, Jayum has the right to express his opinion. However, he must be mindful of the implications of his statements, especially when they concern Dayak leaders.
“Statistically, this sample size is (too) insignificant to draw any credible conclusions about the performance of ministers or deputy ministers.
“Moreover, the right people to evaluate our performance are our constituents, who experience firsthand the work we do,” he said.
He said this after attending the launch of the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Marudi branch launched by party president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum yesterday (Jan 5).
In addition, he further criticised Jayum’s approach, suggesting it lacked constructive solutions.
“It’s easy to criticise, but when asked for a way forward, he had no answers. Being a professor does not give anyone a passport to demean others without basis,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penguang expressed optimism about Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) political strength in Marudi following the establishment of a new PRS branch in the constituency.
Penguang, who is Marudi assemblyman and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice-president, emphasised the unity among GPS component parties in ensuring the coalition’s dominance in Sarawak politics.
Penguang also addressed concerns regarding the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance Contribution (SKAS) initiative, particularly complaints from rural communities about the digital registration process.
“We understand that not everyone is digitally savvy, especially those in remote areas.
“To address this, we are open to alternative methods, such as traditional paper-based registration through local community leaders, district officers, and service centres.”
Penguang stressed that the GPS government remains committed to inclusivity, ensuring that no one is left behind due to technological barriers. — DayakDaily
