By Amanda L
KUCHING, July 26: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has dismissed claims that the Dayak community is being sidelined in Sarawak’s administration, warning that attempts to exploit racial sentiments ahead of the state election could undermine the State’s long-standing unity.
Addressing the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Special Convention for the Central Zone in Sibu today, he described allegations that Dayaks were not being given their rightful place in the State administration as baseless, pointing to the many Dayaks serving in key positions at both the state and federal levels.
“Certain parties are trying to play up racial sentiments in Sarawak by claiming the Dayak community has no place in the state administration. Is that true?
“If that were the case, how is it that so many important positions in Sarawak today, and even before this, are held by Dayaks?” he asked.
To reinforce his point, Nanta cited the chief executive officer of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), senior officers in the Sarawak Civil Service, the State Forestry Department, Sarawak’s healthcare administration, the police force, resident offices, ambassadors and senior federal civil servants. He also pointed to Dayak leaders entrusted with strategic ministerial portfolios at both the state and federal levels.
According to him, these appointments demonstrate Sarawak’s longstanding practice of recognising capable individuals based on merit rather than ethnicity.
“Every qualified Sarawakian is given the opportunity to serve across all communities. That has always been the strength of PBB and GPS and it is the formula behind Sarawak’s success,” he said.
At the same time, Nanta stressed that advocating for one’s own community should not be mistaken for racism.
Referring to remarks made earlier during the convention, he said there was nothing wrong with championing the interests of one’s own ethnic community, provided it was not done by sowing hatred or discrimination against others.
“There is nothing wrong with standing up for your own community. But it becomes wrong when it is done by attacking or creating hatred towards other races. That is racism, and that is something we cannot accept,” he said.
He acknowledged that political leaders naturally sought to advance the interests of their respective communities, but said such efforts must remain inclusive and should never be used to divide Sarawakians.
In doing so, Nanta urged PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders to continue strengthening inclusivity in governance, saying this would leave political opponents with little room to exploit racial issues.
“We should continue to improve and be more inclusive so that there is no reason for anyone to use this issue to attack us,” he said.
He also reminded party members not to be swayed by divisive narratives circulating on social media, stressing that Sarawak’s multicultural society had long been one of its greatest strengths.
“The reality is that PBB and GPS have always upheld the principle that every Sarawakian who is qualified will be given the opportunity to serve, regardless of race. That is the strength of Sarawak, and we must preserve it,” he said. — DayakDaily
