KUCHING, Sept 12: Sarawak Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) publicity secretary Abdul Aziz Isa is urging the Sarawak government to practise meritocracy to avoid accusations of discrimination and marginalisation.
“A fair and transparent system will give a positive message to all communities and instil confidence in our youths in our civil service, statutory bodies and GLCs (government-linked companies) that meritocracy can be the measure for recruitment for all races.
“Meritocracy will draw in the best talent to administrate SPSB (Sarawak Petchem Sdn Bhd).
“As such, I urge the state government, particularly the Chief Minister to consider the Dayaks for management posts as doing so would shield the state government from accusations of discrimination and marginalisation of a major ethnic group,” according to Abdul Aziz in a press statement today.
Abdul Aziz who is a special assistant to Stampin MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen said the public should refrain from applauding the recent announcement of a multi-billion ringgit methanol plant project awarded to SPSB, a state-owned petrochemical company.
“This is because, my quick search for SPSB in the Companies Commission of Malaysia (registry) found that the composition of the Board of Directors (BoD) reflects another case of lopsided representation.”
He pointed out that the Federal Constitution, particularly Article 153 and 161A, and the corresponding Article 39 of the Sarawak State Constitution have made provisions for positive discrimination and preferential treatment to safeguard the special position of the indigenous and native communities in Sarawak.
“Sarawak is probably the only plural nation-state in the world which has shown, through its past and contemporary history, that all the people can live together and stand together to defend those constitutional safeguards,” said Abdul Aziz. — DayakDaily
