KUCHING, April 25: The sacking of the eight Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) supreme council members was done in accordance with the party’s constitution, says party member Rapelson Richard Hamit.
In a statement issued today, the former party youth chief said according to the party’s constitution, the deputy president would be acting president if the president resigns.
In addition, other supreme council members appointed by the president, including youth and women chiefs, the head of information, and the secretary-general, will automatically be removed from office.
The statement came in response to former deputy president Sai Malaka’s statement, which was sent to the media yesterday (April 24), where Sai questioned the party sacking him and seven other supreme council members—Emelia Ambrose (vice president), Sawing Kedit (vice president), Robert Saweng (youth chief), Susan George (women chief), Entusa Iman (member), Tonny Sepawi (member) and Ismail Lumut (member). This was followed by the sudden resignations of PBDS president Bobby William and secretary-general Kipli Ayom.
Sai also wanted the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to investigate the matter.
“Sai Melaka’s statement confused other party members and supporters. He should not bring this matter to the media or exaggerate it. They (the eight members who were sacked) should accept the decision of the president and the other supreme council (members).
“With the president’s resignation, the eight supreme council members are automatically stripped of their positions according to the party constitution,” said Rapelson.
Rapelson is a former PBDS youth chief who chose to serve as an ordinary member and was replaced by Robert Saweng.
“Even without a position, we can serve the party and the community. They must respect the party’s decision, and if they are loyal to the party, they agree with the decision of the president and the supreme council and will not issue misleading statements that can harm the party.
“Politics is not something that can be taken lightly where it requires sacrifices in terms of time, money, and so on, and is not an easy way to make personal gains,” Rapelson said. — DayakDaily
