Reactions to federal government’s decision to appoint own community leaders in Sarawak
KUCHING: Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said yesterday Sarawak would not allow nor agree to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government idea of having two headmen administering one longhouse.
Among the Dayak community, especially the Iban, Masing said the tuai rumah (headmen) was elected by the residents.
“Upon being elected, the state government will endorse this,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.
In the Orang Ulu community, he explained, there was also an election but governed by its social structure and norms.
He said such a process had been in practice over the years.
“For the PH federal government to assume otherwise is a reflection of their ignorance of Sarawak’s social structure and culture.
“We (state government) will never allow nor agree to this (PH federal government having two tuai rumah or two ketua kampung administering one longhouse),” he stressed.
“Divide and rule is not acceptable. Please don’t take us for fools.”
Regarding the emergence of gutter politics in Sarawak, Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak president, said it was something new and Sarawak abhorred this.
“We will exercise our immigration autonomy on anyone trying to bring this (gutter politics) in.”
