By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Aug 20: What is the criteria to become the Chief Minister (CM) of Sarawak?
“Does one get to be the CM of Sarawak just because he is a Dayak, Malay or Melanau and represents only his race?” questioned Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang, adding that playing the race card in politics is a wrong move.
The Muara Tuang assemblyman asserted that it is dangerous to get support solely from one’s own race on climb up the political ladder because the person would be burdened when he becomes a man with power.
“He will be pressured because he has to bring satisfaction to his own people (only) and that is a wrong move,” said Idris in an interview with Sarawak Moment yesterday which was uploaded on Facebook.
He was responding to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) member and former state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Baru Bian’s earlier statement that it is high time to have a Dayak CM for the state.
Baru also said the Dayak race forms 45 per cent of the total number of Sarawakians, and that is why a Dayak should become the CM.
Referring to Baru’s statement as a move to fish votes among his own people, Idris reiterated that winning support from all races is the right ingredient to becoming a CM who represents the people.
“Just like our current chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari (Tun Openg), he was voted by all races including the Malay, Chinese, Orang Ulu and others to become ADUN (Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri) then the CM.
“He did not get to become our CM just because he is a Malay or Melanau,” he emphasised.
Towards the end of the interview, Idris answered his own question by saying that a great leader should be preserving the harmony between the different races and cultures in Sarawak that have lasted more than 50 years, not tearing it apart.
“The best man who can bring all the races in harmony together and work together, that is the quality of the CM,” said Idris. — DayakDaily
