We are our own greatest enemy because we let our hearts rule our heads: Dr Rundi
KUCHING: Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom did not mince words when he said Dayaks are disunited by their ego.
Dr Rundi said whatever they do and in whatever field, Dayaks fail miserably because their ego demands that they too qualify to be leaders, therefore they must lead.
He said their ego takes out logic and reasons from them and makes them hard-headed, brash and impractical.
He said in the longhouses the Tuai Rumah can never be good enough because there will be those who not only think they make better longhouse chiefs but will do whatever it takes to become one.
“It is for this reason longhouses split into two or more or the ruai (open verandah) partitioned,” Dr Rundi said at a Sarawak Dayak National Union dinner here Friday night.
“It is also for this reason that Dayak-based associations are growing like mushrooms after rain…because everyone wants to lead, everyone thinks he is clever and educated and must be leader.
“These Dayaks are the ones who work to destroy the system, backstab leaders and pull them down so as to go up the social ladder.
“These are the Dayaks who weaken the community to feed their ego.
“We are weak not because of others. We are weak because of ourselves, but because of our ego we blame others for our predicament,” Dr Rundi said.
He took to task those Dayaks who use the Gawai to feed their ego, saying, “Gawai is for us to display our community spirit, love and care and hospitality. It is not a place for us to show off our ego”.
“So, dear Dayaks, for once get your ego under control for the sake of the community.
“Politics and differing opinions cannot weaken us if we learn to appreciate each other’s role and reign in the demands of our ego,” he added.
