Letter to the Editor
By Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan
In early 2025, a random survey on the performances of selected Dayak members of the federal and State cabinets was carried out. The finding was first shared with DayakDaily in its online edition on January 4, 2025.
Out of 18 Dayak ministers and deputy ministers, only three were seen by netizen respondents as performing at about average, while the majority were seen as underperforming. Those affected by the findings looked to the ‘flaws’ of the survey, and many came to their defence.
However, by the next election expected at the end of this year, the real verdict will be cast. The random survey might be likened to trial tests taken at the SPM or STPM level—the real one comes later (at the election).
The ‘failed’ representatives, as rated by netizens, have been returned many times over. So, the random survey, unlike the SPM and STPM trial tests, does not reflect real ‘on the ground’ sentiments that should have been translated at the ballot boxes.
Why is this?
This could have arisen from many misconceptions and misrepresentations among the Dayak society since the 1970s. First, longhouse folk are persistently told to ‘elect’ a government party. Governments do not have a political organisation or party. Political parties are formed to go for elections, win, and then form the ruling government. The mandate comes from the people.
Second, Dayaks have constantly been told to ‘not oppose the government’ (‘anang ngelaban perintah’). This is a gross injustice perpetrated by their own representatives.
Third, Dayaks still have a distant understanding of the political process. Politics and elections to the Dayaks are a ‘party’. After all that is done, they wake up and realise that they have elected the same representatives that they have said they had not seen since the last election, and whom they longed for when they faced difficulties such as floods and other calamities.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Dayaks’ lack of awareness of the political processes could be forgiven. Channels of information were not as they are now. Thus, they do not have a lot of information on what was going on around them.
But in recent times, many Dayaks are now highly educated and mobile, can access various forms of media, and are in various trades in and outside Sarawak. They are awakened, unlike before. With this awakening, there is no reason not to make wise decisions.
Dayaks could learn many good things from the united Malay and Melanau communities, as well as the Chinese. The former are solidly and in block supporting Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) since the 1970s. The Chinese have been instrumental in supporting Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and, at one time, the Democratic Action Party (DAP). The oscillation between SUPP and DAP has benefited the Chinese community tremendously.
The Dayak community could learn that their split and presence everywhere is a setback because they are speaking in conflict with each other.
What will happen in the coming election to the Sarawak Assembly could be interesting. Many recent political developments in the country could be a wake-up call to see how the Dayaks can reposition themselves to help state-building in Sarawak and nation-building in Malaysia.
Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan is currently a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and at the Institution of Malay Rulers Chair at UiTM, as well as an Adjunct Professor with the Institute of Borneo Studies in Unimas.
This is the personal opinion of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of DayakDaily. Letters to the Editor may be lightly edited for clarity.
— DayakDaily
