BETONG: The Dayak community must pursue education and equip themselves with the necessary qualifications to take up senior positions in the Sarawak administration.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said appointments were based on merit, with qualified Dayaks having been entrusted with key positions across the state government.
“In other words, we must ensure that we are qualified. It is like playing football. If you do not know how to kick the ball, how can you be selected to play for Sarawak?
“We Dayaks must study hard so that we can progress and succeed together with the other communities,” he said.
He said this at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Betong Zone Convention at Dewan Sukan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan here today (Aug 1).
The convention was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Uggah said claims that Dayaks had been sidelined from positions in the Sarawak Government were inaccurate and intended to incite the community for electoral support.
He agreed with PBB Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who had earlier rejected similar allegations at the party’s Central Zone Special Convention in Sibu.
“The claim that Dayaks have been sidelined from positions in the Sarawak Government is inaccurate and intended to incite the community. It is merely being used to fish for votes,” he said.
Uggah said current data showed that Dayaks held various senior positions, including one Deputy State Secretary, 21 directors and heads of units, five residents and 25 district officers.
They had also been entrusted to lead government departments and key entities, including the Public Works Department, the health sector, Miri Port and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS).
Uggah also cited the appointment of Datuk Amar Jaul Samion as Sarawak State Secretary in 2019 as evidence that a qualified Dayak had previously been entrusted with the state’s highest administrative post.
“When a Dayak was qualified to hold the position of State Secretary, the Premier appointed Datuk Amar Jaul Samion in 2019,” he said.
