Monday, March 12

Baru Bian on Iban

KUCHING:  Another ‘Marina Undau’ dilemma has come back to haunt the Iban children whose fathers are Ibans and mothers are Chinese as they are not considered Ibans. 

Thus, their applications to study in UiTM are rejected.

What happened to Marina in 2009 occurred again to Esther Bartholomew whose father is an Iban from Nanga Bunut in Kanowit district and her mother is a Chinese. Her application to study at University Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has been rejected as she considered non-Iban.

Reacting to this, Sarawak PKR Chief Baru Bian made a very strong appeal to both the Federal and State governments to amend the Federal Constitution and Sarawak constitution in respect of offspring between a native a non-native.

“The law must be clear on this,” he said, saying that he caught by this news where an Iban is not an Iban

“I think this is the issue of Iban father married a Chinese and the daughter cannot get into UiTM because she was told she is not an Iban. 

“You recall this was a big issue about Marina Undau a few years back. You recall I brought it up the issue in the last sitting of the State Assembly, and our stand then and still now is that the law on this must be made clear.

“And therefore it is important that the law – the Federal and State constitutions – must be amended in order to make it very clear,” he added.

“I mentioned it in the Assembly sitting, and I was told that it was a (Federal) cabinet decision. I told the assembly that it will not prevent the same incident to occur in the future,” said Bian, who is the Ba’Kelalan Assemblyman.

“Now exactly the same problem, the  same scenario happened so therefore again we call for amendment to the relevant laws to make it very clear  otherwise you are dealing with the matter piece by piece, which will cause  lot of problems and trauma for those just this lady.

“Her entry to university will be delayed again for another term or another year,” he said.

Article 161A (6) the Federal constitution says “in this Article ‘native means – 

(a)  In relation to Sarawak, a person whom is a citizen and either belongs to one of the races specified in Clause (7) as indigenous to the state or is of mixed blood deriving exclusively from those races;

 “(7)   The races to be treated for the purposes of definition of ‘native’ in Clause (6) as indigenous to Sarawak are the Bukitans, Bisayahs, Dusuns, Sea Dayaks, Land Dayaks, Kadayans, Kelabits, Kayans, Kenyahs (including Sabups and Sipengs), Kajangs (including Sekapans, Kejamans, Lahanans, Punans, Tanjongs and Kanowits), Lugats, Lisums, Malays, Malanos, Murut, Penans, Sians, Tagals, Tabuns and Ukits”.

 (Sea Dayak, Land Dayak and Murut have been changed to Iban, Bidayuh and Lun Bawang respectively).

Meanwhile, Esther’s father Bartholomew Aji Lanyau claimed that UiTM student selection committee had told her that she was not a bumiputera because her mother is Chinese.

He said that he could not afford to send his daughter to a private college as his income as a retiree was insufficient to cover the cost.

Esther, 23, has written an appeal to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, Land Development Minister James Masing and Social Development Minister William Mawan Ikom and the state education department.

In the letter she said that a Malaysian like her whose father is a Dayak should be recognised as a bumiputera following a decision made by the federal cabinet on Marina’s case.

She is yet to receive any reply.

Like Marina’s case, Esther’s non-bumiputera issue is certain to cause uproar in Sarawak especially when the general election is around the corner.
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COMMENT:  Why are our Iban leaders who speak vehemently against small issues like eating fried ants, sago worms, etc and wearing Apai Saloi’s loin clothes are keeping quiet?  Why bother to deprive Frusis Lebi of his entitled welfare allowance?

They should come together and urge the government to change the law. Show to UMNO and PBB that we are united, and only then they will respect us.

Otherwise thousands of Iban children from mixed marriages cannot be considered as Ibans and will lose all the so-called privileges granted to Ibans, if there are any.

16 comments:

Apai Semalau said...

Uitm is basically a racist school with apartheid policy sanction by the government. So much for Najib's trumpeting of 1malaysia. I empathised with Ester whose desire to further her studies are halted by the policies of education based on race and not merits. Looking north, such issues does not exist in Sabah. Sino-kadazan/dusun are treated as native/bumiputra as long as one parent is a native. Take note, many of our dayak leaders are married to non natives. Their children does not have any problem getting into universities. Why? They are filthy "rich" and can effort to sent their children overseas.
This is a challenge to the conscience of our SUPP/PRS/etc. dayak Ybs married to chinese and non native to at the very least put their ideological cap aside and assist Baru Bian in assisting Ester and putting an end to this contoversial issue perpetually once and for all.

Anonymous said...

Have any one of you ever wonder why in semanunjung UiTm admits students where ONE parent regardless is a malay and the other parent a non malay/native or a foreiners? Double standards or is this a religious issue? Hypocrisy even in our education establishment. Pick and choose policy. Go figure this one out. After 50 years of BN our education system is still based on race and religion? Sarawakian mixed marriage children gets to pay the price of inept politicians who cares more for the reward of "kickbacks"??

Banting said...

Probably most Iban ministers will agree with that children follow the father`s domicile. In this new case, Esther is a Bumiputera by virtue of his father being an Iban. The rejection of her application into UiTM is unfair and ridicolous. Being the minister of Education, what is Muhyidden going to say?

I know that some Iban ministers have children whose Bumiputera status falls on the same category as of that of Esther and Marina. Have our Iban ministers done anything about this issue?

I know that on Marina Undau`s case Jabu had written a letter to Prime Minister urging him to find a solution to the problem for the sake of 1Malaysia. But now we have a similar problem effecting Esther. Do we have to write thousands of letters to Prime Minister on the same issue?

Indai sekula said...

Whay have to apply for UiTM only? There are many more Colleges & Universities available in Semenanjung, Sabah & Sarawak that accepted Malaysian of other races.

Don't you know that UiTM stands for 'Universiti ini Tok Melayu'saja? That is why chinese, Indian or children of mix-parentage of either chinese or Indian are prohibited to enter UiTM.

You can get diploma, degree or master from other Universities apart from UiTM.

It is not the end of the world.

Anonymous said...

nama kebuah kitai setuju enggau constitution tu kelia?

Anonymous said...

I see no reason having so many Iban leaders, some holding on to their ministerial posts as if its their birthright; yet issues that have adverse consequences to their very own race and generations are not taken care of. YB Baru, I salute you Even though you are not Iban, your stand against those being oppressed and your fight for justice deserve all praises. GOD bless you and your family.

Bunyau & Mujap said...

Issue of children of mixed parentage like Marina & Ester cases that cannot further their study at UiTM is not a concern and mean nothing to Dayak ministers & YBs of PRS, SUPP, PBB, SPDP.

1. What is it for these YBs if they can get Marina or Ester and many more to get into UiTM?
2. Why PRS, SUPP, PBB & SPDP ministers (Tan Sri, Datuk) and YBs are very afraid and so quiet over this issue?
3. Marina & Ester cases mean nothing and worthless to the ministers and YBS of PRS, SUPP, PBB & SPDP.
4. These PRS, SUPP, PBB, SPDP only want your VOTE and don't want to help you, your children & your grand children.
5. Their main and only concern is 'BIG MONEY' from development of NCR land for personal gain.

High time to vote them out.

Salute to Baru Bian...!!

Anonymous said...

I salute YB Baru Bian , the sole YB who is concern about the iban eventhough he is not an Iban. He is the type of YB that we should have. Why there is no comment from Ibans' YBs. Where are their balls? Scared and terrified to voice out for fear that in GE13 their name might disappear from the candidates' list. Or may be scared of their business and shares might be taken back by Tok Buban?

If not speak up for the sake of the Ibans.

Apai irau said...

I am a product of UiTM and therefore i believe UiTM is not really a racist school(to some extent),even though it is meant for bumiputera. The crux of the issue here is our constitution,either state or federal.I totally agree with Baru,just amend the constitution and it will solve the issue.So,for the start,the senior Iban ministers in the persons of Jabu,Mawan and Masing must make a loud and clear move to propose for the appropriate amendment. We are not asking for anything which is prejudicial to other races,but we want our racial status to be clear legally.But if the so-called senior ministers could not do this,then they should be called as leaders of the aliens.

Anonymous said...

That is why the Chinese should not vote BN.................

Anonymous said...

Just ask UITM this Question only... Why are pure chinese muslim converts sons and daughters allowed places in UITM? And why deny a dayak father's daughter a place when she has half dayak bumiputra blood running through her day and nights and zero percent dayak bumiputra blood in a purer chinese muslim son and daughter? Maybe the definition of bumi and non bumi is based on religion? I would like to know UITM's take on this,please Dato' Professor Jamal. Do not side your classmate Razak who is a pure chinese muslim who was previlegde enough to get a place and graduate to be a successful businessman. Look for him in Pansar!

Anonymous said...

Lets see if this 'changes' nearer towards the next election....very ideal way to 'fish for votes' especially when they say...to the folks in the non-urban areas..that they (BN)'cares'.

Anonymous said...

Sarawak full independent All children have equal education!

Anonymous said...

This is a very simple thing that has been made difficult by some, either because of a lack of knowledge or experience.

Now, if you’re a native, you’re a Bumi so you need to know what native means.

Article 161A (6 (a) of the Federal Constitution (“Constitution”) can assist us here. Basically, as long as one parent is native, the child is native and it matters not whether it is the mother or father of that child who is native.

Unfortunately, all this confusion has come about because even some working for supposedly esteemed organisations like ASNB, District Office and Native court have never read the Constitution or they have but don’t know how to interpret it.

Honestly, I don’t know whether we can make it simpler than it already is. You do not need a PHD to know the definition of native when you read the Constitution. You just need a reasonably good command of the English language to be able to understand Article 161A (6) (a).

What some people don’t realise is that amidst the confusion and disagreements, a minority few (i.e. native of mixed parentage-one parent is native and the other isn’t) are suffering. Sadly, some of these guys are also not well connected enough for their voices to be heard. All they know is that they have the brains but cannot qualify for scholarships meant solely for Bumis because they’re not considered Bumi because either their mother or father is not native. It’ll be interesting to see what the numbers are for those who have been refused entry to public universities or refused scholarships simply because they’re of mixed parentage.

Times have changed and so nowadays natives marrying non natives have become a common sight and we should respond to that positively. In fact, quite a number of prominent natives have family members who marry non natives and I’m pretty sure their children are considered native so they can be considered Bumi so they have Bumi privileges.

These half breeds, as some would call them, can help change the current status quo where natives remain the poorest despite being the majority in Sarawak.

Respect the Constitution and interpret it as it should be interpreted and stop denying well deserving mixed natives the opportunity to make a positive impact for both their families and respective native groups. Only then, will we move forward with the rest of the country.

Anonymous said...

UITM is MALAY think-tank university. Non-malays especially the native are accepted in order to please sarawakians and sabahans. What are we waiting for? We should have our own DAYAK UNIVERSITY, DAYAK PRIVATE SCHOOL, AND ETC because elite malays, chinese and indians have their own BEST schools and universities. How long should we remain A SPARE TYRE FOR THE FEDERAL? Get out of Malaysia. We will be able to run with this country 1 million times better then the west malaysians.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with YB Baru, just ammend the constitution. To all dayak's YBs please assist in this matter lest you'll be considered cowards by your respective dayak communities and their future generations. We have been suffering in silence for so long, we must act now.