PBDS Baru asserts it fights for rights of Dayaks
KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru ( PBDSB) fights for rights of the Dayaks.
It will also, on behalf of the Dayaks, voice out their grievances and issues that impact the Dayak community, its information chief Bobby William said.
He added that winning is not the party’s priority but being the voice for the Dayak community is more important to show that Dayaks exist and face many issues that require the government’s attention.
“Money is not everything but integrity is. What is the point of integrity if it can be replaced with money to resolve matters? PBDSB might be a poor ‘peasant party’ to those political parties and analysts, but the riches and wealth of PBDSB come from the integrity of the Dayak people who support it,” he said.
Bobby asked if PBDSB is regarded as a ‘mosquito political party’, then why does Barisan Nasional ( BN) need the support of the prime minister and deputy prime minister for a small byelection like in Tanjong Datu.
“Every BN minister or analyst is insinuating that PBDSB is wasting its time and knows that its candidate will lose his deposit in the end. But did they ever wonder why PBDSB still moves on to fight a losing battle?”
On another matter, Bobby said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim’s comment that PBDSB candidate for Tanjong Datu Rapelson Richard Hamit was ungrateful to the government was uncalled for.
“Did they ever wonder why an OKU Dayak candidate is willing to stand even if he knows that he has high possibility of losing his deposit in the end? Obviously, the political traditions and warfare in Malaysia have gone so ludicrous that they cannot even understand or see why a tiny mosquito party is willing to fight a losing battle.”
He likened PBDSB’s struggles to the fight by the Orang Asli for their rights.
“The people want to be heard and injustice needs to be resolved. PBDSB is a political party for the Dayak people and not the rich and powerful.”
Meanwhile, Rapelson issued a statement that political analyst, associate professor Dr Jeniri Amir, should understand that winning or losing is not their main consideration.
“If we win, it will be better. The most important thing is to deliver the message. Even if it is hard to topple BN, we will try our best. In God, nothing is impossible, even though BN is using federal and state agencies and machinery.”
He added that the Tanjong Datu seat does not belong to any family but to the community.
“The more qualified people become candidates the better, instead of seeking sympathy votes. It is a trend for BN to place widows in by- elections such as in Kuala Kangsar.”
Saying he was sponsored by the community, Rapelson assured that they would do their best to safeguard Sarawak and the community.
“The community sponsored RM5,000 as the candidate deposit for me to speak up for them. This is improvement for the Dayak community to become self dependent in future. I retained my deposit in the last election in Gedong. This shows that the community accepts my work.”