A new minister to be made
It has been a bittersweet experience for Penampang folks after they voted out a sitting federal minister in the last election. In GE14, they have to choose if they want to have a seat at the Cabinet’s table again.
IT was a triumphant return to politics for Upko founder Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in Kampung Dungkahang in Penampang.
Dompok, Malaysia’s first resident ambassador to the Vatican, had returned from Rome the day before. His first GE14 campaign was in a balai raya (community hall) in the Kadazandusun-majority village along the Moyog river.
The Upko honorary president was stumping for Upko/Barisan Nasional candidates Datuk Donald Mojuntin (Moyog state seat) and Ceasar Mandela Malakun (Penampang parliamentary seat). The response of the Upko leaders and members and villagers to Dompok was that of adulation. He is the famous son of Penampang and he is the political mentor to the Upko politicians.
“My speech is not so smooth as I’ve got jet lag and also I haven’t spoken in a ceramah for a long time,” joked Dompok, who spoke in Kadazandusun.
In the Penampang contest, newcomer Malakun is facing the incumbent Darell Leiking of Warisan, former Kapayan assemblyman Edwin Bosi of Parti Anak Negeri, and Cleftus Stephen Spine of Sabah Star.
About 7km from Kampung Dungkahang, the crowd was waiting for Leiking and Jenifer Lasimbang, the Warisan candidate for Moyog, to arrive for the night ceramah.
Kampung Maang, which is about 15km from Kota Kinabalu, is also a Kadazandusun-majority village in the Moyog constituency. Leiking and Lasimbang gave their speech in Kadazandusun.
“They said we lost a minister when I defeated Dompok in GE13,” said Leiking, addressing the contentious issue head-on.
In GE13, the first-time candidate Leiking, who was at that time with PKR, defeated Dompok, who was defending his Penampang seat.
Leiking had ousted the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister. The result was bittersweet – depending on which party the Penampang voters supported.
It was bitter for 34-year-old Ebell Majanil, who joined Upko a month before GE13.
“I had expected it. And yes, I was disappointed and sad,” he said.
It was sweet for PKR supporter Pritchard Arthur Gumbaris as Leiking had won. But it was bitter as Pakatan Rakyat did not take over the Federal government.
The next day, the close-knit Penampang community, especially in the Moyog constituency, exploded with a heated debate on the consequences of voting out a sitting federal minister. For some, it was a loss for the Kadazandusun and Christians in Penampang not to have a minister who can push the community’s struggle in the Cabinet. For one, Dompok has pushed Kadazandusun and Bible studies in schools through his position as a minister.
To make matter worse for Upko support- ers, three years after he was elected as Penampang MP using the PKR symbol, Leiking jumped and joined Parti Warisan Sabah.
How did Penampang voters react when Dompok lost?
“There were mixed feelings when Tan Sri lost,” recalled Majanil, who is now Penampang Upko Youth information chief.
“Of course, his supporters were sad. They understand the significance of having a minister as their wakil rakyat (representitive).”
He continued: “The fence sitters and opposition supporters, however, were still clouded by their emotion and they didn’t show any sign of being sad or happy. For them, life goes on whether we have a minister or not.”
“Penampang made a choice to defeat Barisan. Barisan is still the government. So, what has changed?” said Gumbaris, who is now Kepayan Warisan chief.
“There are no consequences as there are others who got appointed as federal minister representing Sabah. Or are you saying the other Upko minister is incapable when compared to Dompok? I disagree. A ministerial post is not personal to holder.”
What are the consequences of voting out a federal minister?
“Having a federal minister as a wakil rakyat is sure beneficial – the constituency gets more funding and development compared to areas represented by nonministers,” said Majanil. “But the most important thing is we have representatives not only in the parliament but the Cabinet. The Cabinet is where all the decisions are made, be it policy or budget.”
Majanil feels that Penampang voters had thrown their chance to be a part of the decision-making process in the country.
Gumbaris disagreed: “Sabahans know that every Government must be responsible and do the right thing as a leader. So, the question of losing a minister is inconsequential as every minister is to serve every Sabahan and Malaysian.”
Will the issue of Penampang not having a minister be an issue in GE14?
“I believe it will be a major factor in deciding who they shall vote for. Penampang Barisan has been harping on this sentiment to win votes. We are creating awareness on how important it is to have a minister as their representative. Donald is expected to be a state minister as he is Upko’s secretary general,” said Majanil.
“Do you mean to say that we will suffer if a different minister replaces another minister? All ministers are to serve every area regardless of who represents the area - be it government or Opposition,” said Gumbaris.
The Penampang and Moyog voters have always been rebellious. Many times, they have kicked out a sitting minister. This time there is no minister to be kicked out, but a minister to be made.