KUCHING, Oct 26: Parti Bansa Rakyat Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) president Bobby William insisted that the Dayak should be issued with individual lots under Section 18 of the State Land Code to allow them to venture into businesses and hence transform their lives.
He was disappointed that Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing had in a statement issued yesterday mentioned that if the Dayaks were issued Section 18 individual land titles, there was a high possibility that they (the Dayaks) will sell their land and render them landless.
“My message to James Masing is stop treating Dayaks as second class Bumiputera, lead us to be generals and not just as foot soldiers. Stop making Dayaks as ordinary farmers, lead us to be property developers. We are more than happy if we could have Dayaks like (the late Tan Sri) Ting Peck King,” Bobby said in a statement here today.
Bobby added that Masing’s latest statement seemed to protect the interest of crony companies and the interest of the State Government under GPS leadership.
“That Dayaks to become landless when they are given a land title under Section 18, it is a very ridiculous comment to have come from the mouth of senior Dayak leader and statesman. He is an outdated leader and needs to be replaced,” he said.
Bobby also questioned why Masing seemed to be against the wish of the Dayak community to have their land be issued with titles under Section 18 as it is their rights.
“Why is James Masing against the wish of the Dayaks community? He is preventing Dayaks to become rich? If the Dayaks NCR land is be given and surveyed under Section 18, individual owners (the Dayaks) will have individual titles and individual rights for the said land and have full authority over that land,” he said.
Bobby also accused Masing of wanting to see the Dayaks remains poor and to rely on government assistance.
“Once again, I would like to repeat this was against the wish to make Dayaks rich and to elevate the livelihood of the Dayaks. Just imagine if there are ten portions of NCR lands and the Dayaks sell two portions. Those monies could be used as capital to develop another the remaining portions.
“They can develop their land for housing, commercial centres and shop lots, agriculture and so on. So what is in his mind?,” he asked. —DayakDaily
