COMMENT | On the night of April 27, I asked the 600-strong crowd at the “Hope for Sarawakians” event in Kuching whether they were aware “that we, Sarawakians, have been described as bodoh (stupid) by many not-so-kind souls in Malaya”.

I said that if they were not aware, then they should know now for it was true – many have branded Sarawakians as backward and stupid, politically at least.

If it wasn’t true, I said I would not be talking about it in public before a few hundred people.

I was prepared for a backlash that night because there could be some annoyed and angry people in the crowd who might not take it lightly at being called “stupid” right in their face and in public.

But I had already made up my mind 10 minutes before the ceremah to hit hard on this point. It was something that needed to be said publicly and I have to do it.

Happily, my fellow Sarawakians present that night were able to stomach my not-so-diplomatic posture. They listened and didn’t throw rotten eggs at me. I was glad I got away this time...