State Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dr James Jemut Masing said the dayaks, particularly the Ibans, have been urged to close ranks and rally behind Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu for his sterling leadership quality,

Jabu's almost 30 years of continuous service in struggling for the betterment of the dayak community was indicative of this, Bernama quoted the minsiter as saying.

Dr Masing paid the tribute at a meet-the-people session which was also attended by Jabu at RH.Kilau in Ulu Mujong near Kapit last night.

Very resilient

He said Jabu had had to take a lot of criticisms for his untiring efforts to help the community, and so far "he has been very resilient."

"He is always one who gets things done and his sincerity sometimes gets misunderstood by the Ibans themselves.

"If all dayaks can come together to unite and rally closely behind Jabu, we can make him the Dr Mahathir of the community," he said, referring to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's exemplary efforts in helping to better the lot of the Malays.