Dayak community leaders recommend Nanta as DPM
Kapit Division Dayak Community Leaders Association (KADDCLA) has proposed Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi as deputy prime minister for Sarawak and Sabah.
They said this would be in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s pledge that he would appoint a deputy prime minister from East Malaysia.
“We strongly recommend Nanta to be our DPM because he is the most suitable candidate. Nanta’s grandfather Tun Jugah
Bareng represented the Dayaks in Sarawak in signing the Malaysia Agreement in 1963 and was subsequently appointed the Federal Minister for Sarawak Affairs in 1963,” they said.
They said having been elected parliamentarian since 1999, Nanta is a very seasoned and experienced politician, and being the secretary-general of Parti Persaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). Nanta is also the chairman of Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) and former deputy minister of Rural and Regional Development as well as minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Tuai Rumah Stewart Saba pointed out.
“To appoint Nanta justifies the unity government as inclusive of all races and religions in the country.
“Besides being DPM, Nanta should also be Minister of Rural Development because he comes from a rural constituency.
“He knows the hardships and challenges faced by rural communities in the absence of proper infrastructure and amenities – roads, reliable clean water, electricity, Internet connectivity, problem of dilapidated schools, lack of social-economic activities, etc.,” said Stewart.
Among the members of KADDCLA who support Nanta to be appointed deputy prime minister are its advisor Temenggong Datu Wilfred Billy Panyau, and chairman Penghulu Madang Jelaini.