The opposition DAP, largely seen as Chinese-based and Chinese-oriented, is moving into Dayak areas in Sarawak.

Bukit Assek state assemblyperson Wong Ho Leng, who heads Sarawak DAP, said the plan was approved last month.

Two predominantly-Iban branches have been set up in Sibu Jaya and Sungai Merah, and these recently held a meeting to elect office-bearers in Sibu.

A third branch approved outside Sibu is in Bintangor Scheme B in the Lower Rajang area.

In a statement, Wong said more branches will be formed in rural areas in the coming months.

"(This shows that) we are not (merely) content to work in Chinese areas. We are determined to go rural and to see improvement in the lives of all (communities), in particular the economically (challenged) Dayaks.

"These areas should have DAP Iban leaders to serve them. They should go for change (by booting out the Barisan Nasional)."

Wong said the Iban leaders who addressed the branch meetings had dwelt on a common theme - that the state BN government has neglected their needs.

They also complained about "threats and intimidation by BN leaders" who have dissuaded them from joining opposition parties.

Extravagant promises

Wong said local leaders also claimed BN elected representatives has failed to relay their needs to the government.

sarawak diverse population percentage breakdown of race 160106 "These people are poor and that is an asset to the BN, which promises them the sky but does not deliver,' said Wong

The Iban make up 30 percent of the population in Sarawak, but remain the poorest community in the resource-rich state.

Apart from problems over native customary rights (NCR) land, they find it hard to make a living in Sarawak.

Many youth have left to work in factories in Johor, Selangor and Penang in the peninsula, as well as in Singapore. Some 40,000 Iban are reportedly working in Johor alone.

‘Why can't they seek employment in the state of their birth? Why do they have to look for greener pastures outside Sarawak?' Wong asked.

Despite their involvement in the so-called ‘new concept of NCR development', many Iban have complained that they have not received the benefits due to them.