By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, Sept 5: The Bidayuh community is urged to remain focus and remain under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
In making the call, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong said being a minority community, the Bidayuh could not afford to be politically split.
“We (the Bidayuh) are found in almost all political parties, including the opposition parties.
“But again, the Bidayuh are fortunate for having elected representatives under GPS to bring the elected representatives together.. so it is very important that the Bidayuh being a minority group, continue to remain under the GPS government,” Manyin pointed out yesterday.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of Sukan Saberkas Tebedu 2020 and launching of the 11km stretch of Kpg Jenan/Pichin Road at a cost of RM2 million and Kpg Jenan Community Hall.
According to Manyin, the Bidayuh accounted for only eight per cent of the whole state population.
At present there are eight Bidayuh state seats – with the exception of Opar which is under Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), an opposition party, seven are under GPS.
The seats under GPS are Tasik Biru (Datuk Henry Harry Jinep), Serembu (Miro Simuh), Kedup (Martin Ben), Bukit Semuja (John Ilus), Mambong (Datuk Dr Jerip Susil), Tebedu (Manyin) and Tarat (Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn).
“Come the state election, we must retain all the eight Bidayuh seats and remain under GPS, irrespective of their political parties to enjoy development cake,” Manyin asserted.
Meanwhile, Manyin urged youths to get involve in organisations like Saberkas to gain experience and exposure.
He said academic qualification alone was insufficient for the youths, who will become future leaders of the state and country. -DayakDaily
