By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 7: A Bidayuh member of parliament (MP) deserves a position within the unity government to effectively represent the community in Sarawak at the Federal level.
In making this call, former Mas Gading MP Patrick Anek Uren stressed the historical presence of Bidayuh representation in the Federal government since 1976.
However, he lamented that this representation ceased with the formation of the current unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“It seems that the unity government does not need the support of Sarawak’s Bidayuh community,” he claimed in a statement today.
According to the retired politician, Bidayuh community members have traditionally held positions ranging from deputy ministers to cabinet ministers in previous administrations.
“Despite Bidayuh MPs irrespective of their parties united within the unity government, none have been appointed to significant positions, including within federal GLCs (government-linked companies),” he pointed out.
Noting that the Bidayuh-majority Mas Gading parliamentary seat, currently held by two-term MP Mordi Bimol of Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is a component party in the unity government, social activist Alim GA Mideh expressed disappointment that even Mordi was not appointed to any position at the Federal level.
Patrick questioned if Anwar is relying on the Sarawak government, under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, to look after the Bidayuh community’s interests.
“If that is the stance of PMX (Anwar), neglecting the Bidayuh community’s representation within the government, this might be interpreted negatively and may be reflected in future elections,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the other two Bidayuh-majority parliamentary seats in Sarawak are under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). Serian held by Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Puncak Borneo by Datuk Willie Mongin, who transitioned from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to GPS’ component party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). — DayakDaily
