What a shame that Iban, and their fellow Proto-Malay kin like the Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and even Kadazan-Dusun, are not major beneficiaries of the New Economic Policy (NEP) as the recent article seemed to suggest.

The sorry state of affairs can never be blamed on the noble NEP, but only on human error, both on the part of the communities and their leaders.

To be fair, the Iban have had a strong and dedicated leader in Leo Moggie, and the Kadazan-Dusun had the late Fuad Stephens and Pairin Kitingan. They had the interests of their people at heart. But the bulk of leaders of the above Proto-Malay tribes seem to be more interested in securing power and positions, than in helping their tribes/communities.

They have failed to motivate their people, in working together to reap the benefits of the NEP. They have failed to train their people in standing on their own feet and forming cooperatives to pursue economic development and social development.

The failure of the above Proto-Malay tribes is also the result of the tribalism of the politicians from the traditionally powerful Proto-Malay tribes of Sabah and Sarawak - Sarawak's Melanau and Sabah's Bajau and Brunei.

The ' pilih kasih ' (favouritism) attitude of many Melanau politicians in Sarawak, and many Bajau (this includes Sulu and Bugis) and Brunei (this includes Kedayan) politicians in Sabah, has made sure the bulk of NEP benefits flows to their respective tribes.

It is time for Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Kadazan-Dusun activists to unite, and ensure that the NEP truly benefits their tribes/communities. Even better, they should form a new, democratic, secular, multi-tribal political party to stand up for the rights of disadvantaged Proto-Malays of Borneo.

They should also spearhead the formation of cooperatives and NGOs amongst their communities to train their youths in leadership, management, economic skills, so that the benefits of the NEP will flow to the said communities.

This is the right time to get cracking. Sarawak and Sabah are already 40 years old as independent states within the federation of Malaysia.