Penguang disappointed no Iban, S’wak Malay in Federal Cabinet
MARUDI: Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil recently shared his disappointment over the lack of Iban or Sarawak Malay representation in the Federal Cabinet with the rural communities here.
“Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad said he wants to be inclusive by having ministers of all races in the new federal cabinet.
“Now, has any Iban or Sarawak Malay been appointed as a minister in the cabinet? This is the first time since the formation of Malaysia that the Ibans or Malays from Sarawak are not included in the Federal Cabinet line-up,” he said.
The Marudi assemblyman said this to residents of Rh Nuing Nyalu Sg Laong, Bakong near here during a visit to the Iban longhouse recently.
He said the Ibans and Malays who make up more than half of Sarawak’s population are not being given any recognition and were totally excluded from the Federal Cabinet.
“This is indeed a very sad moment for Sarawak,” he added.
Thus, Penguang advised the rural communities to exercise wisdom before declaring their support to any political party, especially those which are not Sarawak-based.
“The interests and the future of our state are best determined by ourselves,” he reminded.
He said he was also disappointed because a lot of projects especially those in rural areas had been shelved.
Penguang announced allocations of RM15,000 and RM5,000 from his minor rural project ( MRP) grant for the longhouse’s security and development committee and women’s bureau respectively.
Also present were Penguang’s wife Datin Monica Ukong, a political secretary to the chief minister Alexander Asing Sadai, Marudi District Council ( MDC) chairman Cr Edward Mendai, a representative from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing Sarawak Leonard Law, Pemanca Enggah Nuga, Penghulu Buan Gelunggan and several other community leaders in Sg Laong.