Give biggest majorities to BN candidates, Dayak community told
SIBU: An icon of Dayak politics, Tan Sri Leo Moggie made a noteworthy personal observation of the current Dayak political leaders when he spoke to a capacity crowd at Rumah Jana Saweng in Batu Matup, Julau, near here, recently.
He said compared to those in his time, the present crop of leaders were better educated and more articulate coupled with a “very good heart” for the people.
“The most important aspect of their effectiveness is they being members of Barisan Nasional ( BN) component parties. This greatly helps in their efforts to bring more development to their respective areas,” he noted.
Moggie’s illustrious political career spanned about 30 years. He was Kanowit member of parliament from 1974 and was president of the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).
He had served as a federal minister in various portfolios. In 2004, he volunteered to resign.
Moggie said the Dayak leadership must be continued as they very much needed, especially by the longhouse community in their quest for a much better life ahead.
“They are the leaders we can always rely upon to bring us the government goodies from Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Borrowing a longhouse analogy, Moggie, 71, said when people wanted to go hunting, they would want to bring along the best pack of hunting dogs that could sniff out wild game, otherwise they would go home empty-handed.
A most important aspect of their effectiveness is they being members of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties. This greatly helps in their efforts to bring more development to their respective areas. Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Dayak politics icon
“Like hunting too, we want the best representatives to sniff out opportunities for us, to look for more government goodies,” he said.
In the upcoming 13th general election, there are 13 Dayak BN candidates contesting and all are highly qualified professionals or experienced senior civil servants.
Among them are Tan Sri William Mawan (for the Saratok seat), Dato Sri Douglas Uggah (Betong), Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi ( Kapit), Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang ( Kanowit), Datuk Joseph Salang (Julau), Datuk Joseph Entulu ( Selangau), Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit ( Mambong) and Datuk Richard Riot (Serian).
Others are newcomers, lawyer Anthony Nogeh ( Mas Gading), Wilson Ugak ( Hulu Rajang) and Anyi Ngau ( Baram). Two others are Masir Kujat ( Sri Aman) and William Nyalau Badak ( Lubok Antu).
Referring to those who advocated change including changing the current government, Moggie said he did not see the need for it as the government was still functioning very well and so were its leaders.
“It must also be noted by the Dayak community that three of the BN candidates are deputy ministers.
“They may be promoted to full ministers. If this happens, it will obviously augur very well for Dayak leadership and Dayak participation in the government, and certainly of course for the community itself.
Moggie said all BN representatives deserved the biggest majorities. “There will always be attempts to topple them. The people must not be easily swayed but remain united to give them the biggest majorities.
“When the candidates enjoy big majorities, it will show Kuala Lumpur that they are very strong, very popular. They must be worth listening too,” he said.
Moggie is very proud that (information, communications and culture deputy minister) Salang, one of his proteges when he was PBDS president, is among those leaders doing very well themselves. Rooting for Salang who is seeking his fourth term, Moggie said he was among the exemplary new Dayak leaders.
“Iya cukup pelajar, maioh penemu. Ati iya manah enggau orang,” he told the crowd (in Iban, “he is adequately educated, very knowledgeable and very compassionate towards the people.”)