Reactions to federal government’s decision to appoint own community leaders in Sarawak
KUCHING: The move by the federal government to appoint its own tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs) in Sarawak from next year has been described as nonsensical and a slap in the face of the local communities.
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the statement by Rural Development Deputy Minister R. Sivarasa smacks of arrogance and one that “exemplifies the worst type of federal government politician who arrogantly tries to bend the local culture to suit their political interests”.
Tiong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president, also likened the move to masking their political interests in the guise of ‘democratisation’ within their ambitions to divide indigenous communities for political control.
“Whether by willful ignorance or not, Sivarasa and the PH government fail to understand that tuai rumah and village heads in Sarawak are all elected, since the direct appointment system had been abolished.
“This promotes democratisation of the election process to reflect the public’s opinion and wishes and prevent candidates from seeking to gain political benefits. In special cases, the Sarawak state government provides oversight to ensure the process is conducted cleanly and justly,” he added.
Tiong said longhouse chiefs had never been appointed by the federal government nor were they politically appointed. Rather, their respective residents merely submit their approvals for endorsement by the state government.
“Sarawak will not be the place where the PH will seek to implement its own brand and control. This deputy minister, and others like him, need to examine understand the facts first or risk looking even more foolish,” he added.
Tiong said Sivarasa’s comments did not inspire any assurance or confidence that the federal government could appoint community leaders with integrity and fairness without subjecting them to political favours or coercion.
He said it was clear that the real motive behind Sivarasa’s announcement was to intervene into elections of Sarawak’s local communities’ leaders and replace them with puppets of their own, he said, adding the real purpose was to pave the way for political conquest of Sarawak.
“Why else would a federal deputy minister visit these places? It is clear to anyone listening to Sivarasa’s speech — to serve the interests of the PH government, they need to appoint ‘obedient’ servants by any means necessary. The most surefire way for them is to split the harmony and unity of the local communities, mislead voters as usual and seize even more power.
“The long-term consequences of having two community leaders will only aggravate the problems of those communities, undermine their social harmony and compromise their long-term development.”
Sivarasa should know that the state government through its Chief Minister will ensure the welfare and development of the local communities, with or without the federal government’s meddlesome ambitions. The state government will provide for the tuai rumah and village chiefs even if the federal government withholds their rightful salaries and allowances.
“Stop playing with the future of the local indigenous communities through politicking by placing local leaders for political purposes. It would be far better for the PH if Sivarasa focuses actually on developing rural areas in Sarawak. They would gain better political mileage and people will notice.
“But when has the PH government actually put up any such policy of directly benefiting the people without imposing their will on them?”
