Opposition State Reform Party (Star) president Dr Patau Rubis said he could not see how non-Muslim natives of Sarawak and Sabah will benefit by joining Umno when they are not able to identify with the Malay party's political struggle.

Commenting on recent moves by a Sarawak group to try and bring Umno to the state, he pointed out that Umno must be led by a Malay-Muslim.

"There is no place in Umno for non-Muslim natives of Sarawak and Sabah. How can they honestly say they support Umno when they are not able to identify with its struggles and objectives which are to promote Malay dominance and Malay special rights?" he asked.

Patau said he was aware that many Dayaks who are non-Muslim natives have thrown their support behind those promoting Umno in Sarawak.

Star, mainly comprising Dayak of Bidayuh origin, was was set up after Patau was sacked from the state cabinet by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The current effort to promote Umno in Sarawak is led by Malay businessman Effendi Jeman. A promoters' group has set up more than 100 pro-tem branches in Sarawak, and Umno flags are being flown in many Malay villages.

Former Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak leader Major (ret) Peter Runin confirmed he had joined the group, saying that he believed it could provide a platform to promote and protect Dayak interests, especially over the issue of native customary rights land.

He said he would issue a statement tomorrow to answer critics, including a senior state minister Michael Manyin, who has criticised him for joining the group.

'Promise not kept'

Patau further pointed out that non-Muslim communities in Sarawak feel they have been shortchanged since joining Malaysia.

When they agreed to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, they received a pledge that they would be treated with as bumiputeras, on equal footing with Malay-Muslim, and that their rights would be fully protected.

Instead, many Dayaks now perceive that many of their rights are being ignored and that they face discrimination on the basis of race and religion.

Patau cited the cases of his two children - his son's application for a bumiputera loan was rejected on grounds of his name, and his daughter's citizenship was withdrawn. She endured six years of difficulties, unable to get a job, until justice prevailed.

He said the system should be overhauled and that Umno must transform itself into a united Malaysian organisation that upholds the concept of 'Bangsa Malaysia' and a system based on meritocracy.