‘Rohani’s welfare aid remark against Rapelson uncalled for’

KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru ( PBDS Baru) views a recent remark by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim pertaining to its candidate Rapelson Richard Hamit as ‘uncalled for’.

At an event in Lundu on Sunday, Rohani described Rapelson’s decision to contest in Tanjong Datu by- election as a PBDS Baru candidate as an indication of his ‘ingratitude’ to the government.

According to her, Rapelson is a recipient of the monthly aid meant for individuals with disability ( OKU) worth RM500 from the state Welfare Department (JKM).

“Just because Rapelson is a recipient of the government welfare aid, (this) does not mean that he has no right whatsoever to fight for what he believes is right.

“It’s a clear statement that he stands for the rights of all NCR ( Native Customary Rights) land owners and the issues that have remained unresolved for the past 53 years,” PBDS Baru said in a statement on Monday.

It stated that instead of insinuating Rapelson for not being appreciative to the government, Rohani should see his candidacy from a different perspective.

“Dayaks are not the only ones facing NCR land issues; the Malays are facing them as well. As such, the remark made by Rohani (on Rapelson) was totally uncalled for.

“Just because an individual is being aided by the government, does not mean that he should keep quiet if there’s something not right in his community. He (Rapelson) is supposed to be given credit because despite being an OKU, he is willing to fight for what is right and not be condemned for his rights as a Sarawkian,” PBDS Baru said.

Meanwhile in separate statement, Rapelson pointed out that the taxpayer’s money was not ‘Barisan Nasional ( BN)’s money’ and in this light, he stressed that a political party and the government were two different things.

He also disclosed that he was actually expecting comments to be made about his monthly welfare aid from the government.

“The government should not deny the people’s right. I’m willing to give back my allowances as I’m standing for Sarawkians, and for Malaysians in general,” he said.

Rapelson was confident that he was just as qualified a candidate as BN-PBB’s Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu – the widow the state’s fifth chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who passed away last month.

“I want to bring your attention to Selangor. See how the Pakatan Harapan- led government there is helping the constituents through many ways, such as the RM1,000 wedding incentive for Selangor couples.

“It’s just a tip of what we, the opposition, can offer to the people,” he added.