Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing has accused Dayak bloggers of playing politics by raising issues concerning the community.

james jemut masing "The bloggers raising issues about Dayaks are pitting members of the community against one another," said Masing, who is state land development minister, when asked to comment on a Malaysiakini report about the role of Dayak bloggers in the coming Batang Ai by-election.

The by-election , triggered by the death of PRS vice-president, Dublin Unting Ingkot on Feb 24, will be held simultaneously with two other by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau on April 7.

batang ai state seat past results 110309 It was reported that the Batang Ai by-election has taken on a new dimension with party leaders and campaign workers turning to the blogsphere to reach out to urban, educated voters and through them, reach out to those in longhouses.

From comments left on blogs, it seems that many are accusing Dayak leaders of failing to fight for the rights of the community, especially for customary land rights.

Political turmoil in Sarawak

Masing said: "If the bloggers are smart and feel that they are the champions of the Dayak community, they should not let PKR push them into fighting against their own kind.

"Why should bloggers and Dayaks allow PKR, a peninsula-based party, to bully them?"

What Massing wanted was for all Dayak bloggers and Dayaks to support his candidate at the by-election "to show to the world that we Dayaks can be together and if we can do that, people will not be able to push us around".

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu warned that if PKR wins the Batang Ai by-election, there would be political turmoil in Sarawak.

"The political turmoil in the peninsula could creep into Sarawak, if PKR wins the Batang Ai by-election. Recent incidents in west Malaysia involving PKR and its Pakatan Rakyat partners show that the opposition is disrespectful of culture, customs and even the royal institution.

"Batang Ai must be retained as a BN fortress. Do not make way for them to win," said Jabu.