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Free Malaysia Today
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Ensure Dayaks are fairly represented in assembly seats, says PBDS
Voters going to the polls in the 2021 Sarawak state assembly elections. PETALING JAYA : The Dayak community, Sarawak's largest indigenous group, must be fairly represented when state assembly seats are redrawn in an impending redelineation, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak said today. John Brian Anthony. Party chairman John Brian Anthony said that Dayaks had long been underrepresented, especially in rural areas, due to poor accessibility and limited public services. 'Any new delineation must correct these disparities by ensuring greater proportionality in seat distribution,' he was quoted as saying by Dayak Daily. 'Any new boundaries must not arbitrarily divide longhouses, customary lands, or traditional Dayak territories.' He said the state government and Election Commission (EC) must respect native customs and that the redelineation exercise must not be used to fragment cultural and social cohesion. He called for a thorough review of Dayak-majority areas to reflect the actual demographic pattern and cultural identity of these constituencies. Dayak organisations, local leaders, and community representatives should be formally included in public hearings during the redelineation exercise, he said. 'This is essential to build trust, prevent gerrymandering, and ensure legitimacy in the outcome.' Sarawak's state assembly seats were last redrawn in a redelineation exercise in 2015. A fresh redrawing can now be carried out, with the expiry of an eight-year moratorium between redelineations. Sarawak currently has 82 state seats, an increase from the initial 48 constituencies for its first state assembly elections in 1969. The electoral boundaries of the 82 Sarawak state assembly constituencies in the 2021 state election. (Wikipedia pic) The GPS-led state government is expected to ask the state assembly at a special sitting tomorrow to increase the size of the assembly to 99 seats. Earlier this year, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, said the EC had informed the state government of the possibility of a revision to Sarawak's electoral boundaries. He said discussions will be held with GPS partners before a redelineation proposal is submitted to the EC.
Borneo Post
06-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tax policy must not leave indigenous communities behind, PBDS warns
Dr John Brian Anthony KUCHING (July 7): Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has voiced deep concern over the implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) effective July 1, warning that the policy risks could intensify economic hardship for the rural Dayak population in Sarawak. PBDS Permanent Chairman, Dr John Brian Anthony, stressed that the broad application of the SST could further marginalise indigenous communities, who are already struggling with low income levels, high living costs, and limited infrastructure. 'While we understand the government's need to strengthen national revenue through taxation, such fiscal policies must not come at the expense of the socio-economic wellbeing of rural Sarawakians,' said Dr John in a statement. He noted that many rural Dayaks depend on subsistence farming, manual labour, and small-scale trade, making them particularly vulnerable to price increases resulting from the SST. Dr John further explained that this impact is in stark contrast to urban communities, which have more diversified economic opportunities. He also criticised the lack of targeted exemptions and the absence of meaningful consultation with native leaders prior to the tax's implementation. 'There was no proper consultation with indigenous stakeholders. A one-size-fits-all approach shows a serious disconnect from realities on the ground,' he asserted. He also cautioned that the SST may undermine the inclusive development goals outlined under the Malaysia Madani framework. For that, he called upon the federal and Sarawak governments to introduce exemptions for essential goods and services used in rural areas, and to establish a Rural Economic Impact Assessment Committee to examine how national fiscal measures affect indigenous populations. He also called for increased in rural subsidies, development grants, and continuous engagement with Dayak leaders and civil society organisations in policy development. 'Economic justice is integral to indigenous rights, while development cannot be considered fair if it leaves the rural poor behind,' he said. 'Dayak voices matter and PBDS demands inclusive fiscal policies,' he added, reiterating the party's commitment to defending indigenous interests.
Borneo Post
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PBDS: Redelineation must ensure Dayak representation, rural fairness
Dr John Brian Anthony KUCHING (July 6): The coming electoral redelineation in Sarawak must prioritise Dayak representation and rural fairness, said Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) permanent chairman Dr John Brian Anthony. He claimed that the Dayaks, as the largest indigenous community in Sarawak, have long suffered from under-representation, particularly in rural and remote constituencies. 'We remind the state government and the Election Commission (EC) that redelineation is not just about numbers, but about justice, equity, and democratic integrity. 'PBDS will continue to monitor this process closely and will mobilise legal, political, and civil avenues to ensure that Dayak voices are respected and protected,' he said in a statement today. It was issued after Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar told a press conference on Saturday that the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 will be tabled at a one-day DUN special sitting on July 7. The Bill, to be tabled by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, involves increasing the number of elected members in the DUN from the present 82. It was also reported that once passed by the DUN, the Bill would be brought to Parliament for federal approval. Once both legislative bodies have endorsed the Bill, the Election Commission (EC) would be responsible for conducting the redelineation exercise. John Brian said PBDS welcomes the announcement that Sarawak is now eligible to begin the process of redelineating its electoral boundaries. He said this development is a constitutional right under Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution and provides a long-overdue opportunity to address structural imbalances in electoral representation across the state. 'PBDS urges the EC and the state government to ensure that this redelineation process is transparent, just, and inclusive, taking into account fair representation for rural constituencies and recognition of Dayak demographics, ' he said. According to him, any rural areas predominantly inhabited by the Dayak remain grossly underrepresented due to large geographical coverage with poor accessibility and limited public services. As such, he pointed out any new delineation must correct these disparities by ensuring greater proportionality in seat distribution. He also said PBDS insists that Dayak civil society organisations, local leaders, and community representatives be formally included in public hearings during the redelineation exercise. 'This is essential to build trust, prevent gerrymandering, and ensure legitimacy in the outcome. 'Protection of NCR lands and cultural zones – New boundaries must not arbitrarily divide longhouses, customary lands, or traditional Dayak territories. 'Redelineation should respect adat and native customs, and not be used to fragment cultural and social cohesion,' he said.
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PBDS backs revival of Sarawak Rangers as state-level security force
Dr John Brian Anthony KUCHING (July 5): Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has voiced strong support for the re-establishment of the Sarawak Rangers as a state-level defence and civil security force, said its permanent chairman Dr John Brian Anthony. He said a revived Sarawak Rangers could complement the national defence force as a state-level paramilitary or auxiliary unit would be well-suited to assist in disaster response, border control, and rural surveillance, particularly given Sarawak's vast and unique terrain. 'PBDS believes this proposed Sarawak Rangers force could work alongside national military and civil defence forces, especially under the structure of Territorial Army (Wataniah) or Auxiliary Police, but with its own Sarawakian identity, mission, and command elements,' he said in a statement. He also said Sarawak Rangers are a symbol of Dayak honour and warriorhood. 'Reviving them would preserve and dignify this legacy, giving new meaning and purpose to the younger generation of Dayaks,' he said. He also suggested that training and recruiting local Sarawakians into such a force could create jobs, instill discipline, and help reduce social issues such as rural unemployment and substance abuse. According to him again, Sarawak Rangers is rooted in Sarawak's historical legacy and tailored to its unique geographical, cultural, and security needs. 'The Sarawak Rangers were once the pride of the state – a highly disciplined, locally trained unit composed largely of Dayak warriors, especially from the Iban community, known for their bravery, jungle warfare skills, and loyalty. 'Their service in major conflicts – from the Brooke era, World Wars, to the Malayan Emergency and the Confrontation with Indonesia – proves their value not just in Sarawak, but to the entire nation,' he said. On Wednesday, federal Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said it is both timely and necessary to explore the revival of the Sarawak Rangers as the state's internal security corps. The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general stressed, however, that such a move should not be misconstrued as an attempt to create a rival force to the Malaysian Army. Nanta made the remarks in a Facebook post, responding to an announcement by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UPKS) 8th anniversary dinner on Tuesday.
Borneo Post
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Get your own platform, leave Dayak struggle to us, PBDS tells PBK
Dr John Brian Anthony KUCHING (June 16): Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) ought to stop leveraging on the Dayak struggle but instead focus on their own platform and objectives, said Dr John Brian Anthony. The Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) permanent chairman said the party took note of recent comments and gestures made by PBK on social media, apparently expressing support for certain positions already taken by PBDS. While acknowledging PBK's right to comment on public matters, he said it is PBDS' unwavering mission to represent, protect, and empower the Dayak people politically, economically, and culturally. 'Our struggle is rooted in the history, identity, and aspirations of the Dayak community, and we have paid the price of marginalisation to uphold our integrity and independence. 'We respectfully urge PBK and any other political entities to avoid using the Dayak cause as a political leverage point to gain popularity or score political mileage. 'If your cause is strong, let it stand on its own merit. Do not ride on the Dayak name without truly understanding or representing our struggles on the ground,' he said in a statement. John said Sarawakians deserve to see what PBK stands for in action and not merely by commenting on what other parties are doing. 'True collaboration among Sarawak-based parties must be based on mutual respect, clear boundaries, and recognition of each other's unique identity and struggles,' he added. Nevertheless, he said PBDS remains open to genuine dialogue and cooperation with any party that shares its values of justice, equity, and indigenous empowerment. However, he stressed that such cooperation must not be at the expense of the Dayak community's dignity or political autonomy. 'Let each party speak for its people, work on its mission, and be judged by its performance—not by political theatrics,' he said.
