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With the result of the 12 th general elections Dayaks should be encouraged to work together with Pakatan Rakyat.

Recently, some promoters of the Malaysian Dayak Congress Party have joined PKR. This is due to necessity, not choice. The other alternative is to pursue the formation of a Dayak party. This should not be mistaken with a Dayak-based party.

The current Dayak-based party working within BN is filled with well-fed representatives with comfortable lives. They seem never to say anything on behalf of the Dayaks, except for Alexander Linggi Nanta.

Other representatives are just as grateful for their good life and they would be struggling to find a decent living if not for their elected positions. Why they are not able to contribute constructive ideas and present arguments on behalf of the Dayak people to the BN government is anybody’s guess.

That is why many sum them up as representatives who lack political direction and respect for integrity. They are more like political cowards with loyalty to their self-interests only.

The parties which claim to represent the Dayaks are too mindful of hurting the feelings of other races while other race-based parties champion their own race agenda. Under these conditions, Dayaks have to pursue the formation of a Dayak party.

Perhaps if these elected Dayaks start to speak for their people, and if they can come down to earth and show humility, then perhaps we won’t need to set up a Dayak party. Otherwise, we will need this Dayak party as an alternative choice for the people to vote for, giving a leadership which is willing to provide new directions and agenda.

The fact is Barisan Nasional is not unbeatable. They have been beaten and now hold only 40 percent of Malaysia’s economy. BN is on shaky ground, and its anchor party Umno is not reading sentiments on the ground well.

What the Dayak community needs is the following. Dayak voters actively need to be engaged. Help to improve the monthly incomes of Dayaks, build better roads and other infrastructures to improve their rural lives.

The preservation and development of the Dayak language and culture has to be prioritised. More community power should be passed to those who respect the Dayak community and individual rights.

Dayak participation in the civil service has to be increased and they should be able to occupy top positions. A Dayak should have equal chance of becoming chief minister and there should be more Dayaks in the federal cabinet.

If these things are not done by the government, then Dayaks will pursue their own political party - a Dayak party that truly serves the Dayak community.

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