This Content Is Only For Subscribers
KUCHING, July 4: Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (Rose) has chided Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his ‘pro-establishment’ remark concerning longhouse leaders.
According to a Bernama news report on July 2, during a Ngiling Tikai meeting at Rumah Enteri Lengkoi in Samu, Spaoh, Zahid said that longhouses in Sarawak had produced good leaders because the policy of the longhouse leaders is often pro-establishment.
Zahid was quoted as saying, “Whoever becomes the government, they are pro-establishment because if they are anti-establishment, it will bring down their people.”
In a press release today, the NGO reminded the deputy prime minister that he is a minister for all Malaysians, including Sarawakians who are not ‘pro-establishment’.
“We expect him to live up to his stature and role as a minister and a deputy prime minister instead of acting like some feudal village politician,” it said.
It added that while implementing federal projects is better facilitated when the state government is also part of the federal government, it is an affront to the principle of parliamentary democracy to openly advocate that every community leader must be pro-establishment.
“It is thus a pity that the deputy prime minister remains stuck in the political dark ages even while he purports to support the concept of ‘Madani’ of which respect is a core value,” it said.
It went on to say that it is not uncommon for residents or villagers of one village to have different political views on various issues; hence, it is villagers who will best know who they wish to represent their views in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Rose also added that good community leaders serve the needs of their members and communities by raising issues with the proper authorities or elected representatives while respecting the differences in political views. — DayakDaily
