Latest news with #TuaiRumah
Borneo Post
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Don't play politics, Tiong warns community leaders
SIBU (July 17): Dudong assemblyman Dato Seri Tiong King Sing has issued a stern warning to community leaders, cautioning them against engaging in political activities or risk being removed from their positions. Tiong, who is also Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister, emphasised that the role of community leaders is to serve the people, irrespective of race, religion or political party. His speech was read on his behalf by his special duties officer Agatha Ting during the presentation of cheques to 137 recipients of the Special Project Allocation (PPK) and 15 recipients of the Special Allocation by the Minister (PKM) at United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu hall today. 'I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to all Tuai Rumah and community leaders – Kapitan, Penghulu, Pemanca, and anyone holding such titles. Please stop playing politics. Don't bring party agendas into community work. Don't backstab each other. The people are watching, and so am I.' Tiong stressed that community leadership must remain neutral and dedicated to serving the community as a whole. 'If you're a Tuai Rumah or community leader, you must serve the people, regardless of race, religion, or party. If you cannot do that – if I hear more complaints about sabotage, jealousy, or efforts to undermine others – I will not hesitate to remove you. 'This is my final warning. Don't make me repeat myself next time,' he cautioned. During the handover, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Dudong division chairman Datuk Teo Boon Siew told the recipients to use the funds for projects that they had applied for. 'If you have applied for longhouse repair, make sure the fund is utilised for that sole purpose,' he said, reminding recipients to submit progressive reports on their projects, which should include photographs. Also present was PDP Pelawan chairman Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong.
Borneo Post
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘Appointment of community leaders must be shielded from political interference'
Major (R) Moses Ripai SIBU (June 18): Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) firmly asserts that elected representatives and political parties must not interfere in the appointment of community leaders, especially Tuai Rumah, across Sarawak. Its president Major (Rtd) Moses Ripai said the appointment of these leaders must be based on traditional customs, community consensus and the character and competence of individuals, not on political affiliation or party loyalty. 'Community leaders are the backbone of indigenous governance, and must be shielded from political manipulation,' he said in a statement. Moses said PBDS called for a clear separation between political interests and cultural institutions, and urged the government to respect the rights of each community in choosing its own leaders independently. In anticipation of the upcoming Sarawak state elections, he also invited all opposition parties in Sarawak to form a united en bloc pact. He said the time has come to set aside individual party interests, and work collectively towards meaningful change for the people of Sarawak. 'A fragmented opposition only serves to strengthen the status quo. A united front can deliver a more effective challenge to the ruling coalition, foster a more competitive democratic process, and ensure the voices of rural and marginalised communities are heard and respected.' Moses said PBDS was ready to engage in open, respectful discussions with any opposition party committed to justice, indigenous rights and fair governance, and like-minded political parties to share the same struggles and visions. He said en bloc opposition parties would be a strong opposition pact in the state, and would chart the future of a new era for Sarawak if they were able to take over the government. He said the native customary rights (NCR) issue has always been the chief issue of previous and present PBDS. Moses also reminded all PBDS members, supporters and the public that any statement issued using the party's name is null and void, unless it has been officially approved and released by the party president, information chief, or supreme council. He said this protocol exists to protect the integrity, unity and public credibility of the party. 'Unauthorised statements do not reflect the party's official stance, and must not be regarded as the representative of PBDS,' he said, referring to cases of a certain individual who used the party's name for making statements recently. He added disciplinary actions may be taken against individuals who issue or circulate unauthorised statements on behalf of PBDS.
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sikie: Tuai Rumah elected without political interference
Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai KUCHING (June 10): Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai said community leaders, particularly Tuai Rumah, are elected and that his ministry does not interfere in the election process. 'We do not interfere in their election,' he said when asked to comment on recent remarks by Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) permanent chairman Dr John Brian Anthony and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who claimed that the appointment of community leaders had been influenced by political interests. Sikie, who oversees Native Adat, explained that community leaders (KMKK) are elected through a process overseen by their respective District Offices, with district or administrative officers supervising the elections. However, he said he was unsure whether the appointment process for all community leader posts in the Sibu Chinese community, in particular, was being properly monitored. 'Tuai Rumah in longhouses are elected by their respective members of the longhouses, supervised by the Penghulu of the area and also by officers from the respective District office,' said Sikie, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Senior Vice President and Kakus assemblyman. Yesterday (June 9), it was reported that Tiong, who is also Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture had warned a certain political party leader against meddling in the selection of committee members for the Sibu Chinese Community Leaders Association. Stressing the importance of honouring fair and transparent selection processes, the Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman – without naming names – said he had recently received complaints about the said leader 'persistently interfering' in the election of the association's committee members. 'It appears this leader is attempting to manipulate the outcome through party influence, sparking strong discontent among the people.' Separately yesterday, John Brian claimed that political interference in the appointment of Tuai Rumah has long occurred in the Dayak community. He claimed that such practices not only 'contaminates' the customs and traditional social structure of the Dayak community but also erodes their trust in grassroots leadership. 'These are also often used as a political tool to ensure support for certain parties, thus weakening the autonomy of the community,' he argued. community leaders John Sikie Tayai lead political interference
