‘Look at the forest, not at the trees’, Bidayuhs advised
KUCHING: Barisan Nasional ( BN) supporters who are unhappy over the decision by the top leadership to not nominate their preferred individuals as candidates for this parliamentary election should let go such personal grudges and continue to vote for the coalition this May 9.
According to Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, it is common to see Bidayuhs and also the Ibans fight among themselves during elections upon seeing that the chosen candidates are not of their preferred choice.
The minister – also a senior vice-president in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which is BN Sarawak’s backbone party – points out that such mindset is wrong and will not bring the community any good, especially when it comes to earning and maintaining respect from others.
As such, he hopes that as far as the Bidayuhs are concerned, they would make the right choice on polling day by making sure that BN would secure all three Bidayuh-majority parliamentary constituencies — namely Mas Gading, Puncak Borneo and Serian.
“There is a saying: ‘Look at the forest, not at the trees’. This means we must look at the interest of our community first before our own interests. If we could work on this concept, the Bidayuh community would continue to move forward and progress, and also respected by others,” he spoke at a gathering in Kampung Bunuk on Saturday night.
Manyin, who is also the BN director of operations in Puncak Borneo, reiterated these remarks when speaking at a dialogue with Mambong community leaders in Siburan yesterday.
He said with BN Sarawak poised to win 28 out of the 31 parliamentary seats this time, it has become vital for the three Bidayuh seats to be delivered to BN as sign of support for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision of transforming Sarawak through digital economy.
A big win for BN Sarawak would also give a big mandate for Abang Johari to have a bigger voice in negotiating with Putrajaya on regaining Sarawak’s rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), he added.
It is known that Manyin has been busy campaigning for the BN candidate for Puncak Borneo, Jeannoth Sinel since April 18.
At Kampung Bunuk, the minister singled out PBB executive committee member Wejok Tumik to emphasise his call upon BN supporters to continue supporting BN and its election candidates.
Wejok, who was among those eyeing for BN candidacy in Puncak Borneo, is now campaigning for Jeannoth.
“This is a real gentleman’s act. I hope those others who did not get picked, to also assist the BN candidate.
“Think about the community first – forget about personal grudges,” he said.
On Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) candidate Willie Mongin, who is from Kampung Bunuk, Manyin described him as ‘a good person, but in the wrong boat’.
Meanwhile, former PBB Mambong secretary Jeguk Ngamo, who also spoke at the event in Kampung Bunuk yesterday, expressed his concern over the current state of affairs in PBB Mambong.
He hoped that things would improve once Jeannoth got elected.
On the other hand, Kuching Division Bidayuh Temenggong Austin Dimin expressed his doubt over Willie’s ability to serve in Puncak Borneo if elected, since Willie and his family are based in Kuala Lumpur.
At another function in Siburan yesterday, Assistant Minister of Native Land Development and Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn concurred with Manyin’s ‘look at the forests, not at the trees’ analogy – a concept that should be practised by the Bidayuhs, he added.