Although little publicity has been given to the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) joint Gawai-Kaamatan celebration in Miri on Saturday 28 June 2008, the holding of the celebration has far greater significance, not only culturally and economically, but politically as well.
It is true the basic aims of the two chambers are fighting for business opportunities for their members and their communities. But the second gawai-kaamatan celebration has kept in momentum the aspirations of the members, while at the same time further strengthening their bonds of friendship, and bringing the Dayak and Kadazandusun communities culturally and politically. Next year it will be KCCI’s turn to play hosts to its counterparts.
The presence of big names in politics gave impetus to some sort of political understanding between the two communities. Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Bernard Dompok and other high profile personalities and cultural groups from Sabah and Deputy Minster Joseph Salang, Leo Moggie, Daniel Tajem, Leonard Linggi and Celestine Ujang and Sarawak’s cultural groups are clear signs of a bigger thing to come.
As one Dayak leader said: “Being neighbours and of similar cultural heritage, this makes it the more importance for the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns to work together not only in the economic and cultural aspects, but also in the political field.”
The idea of forming a regional political party for the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns immediately comes into mind. Such an idea was thought of more than 10 years ago, but it was abandoned due to partly lack of support and partly it was a bit so sensitive. Behind the idea was Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) who was then in the Opposition and the then Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) whose position was rather unique - it was in the government in the federal Barisan and an opposition in the State. It was perceived by Kuala Lumpur as too regionalistic. So PBDS under Moggie chickened out.
Now the political scenario has changed. The political tsunami that hit the shores of West Malaysia and is fast spreading towards East Malaysia, offers, perhaps, an opportune time to reconsider and revive a regional political union, a Dayak Kadazandusun political party.
With a political entity such as this, Dayaks and Kadazandusuns will be able to exert powerful influence on federal politics than it is today where both the Dayak-based and Kadazandusun-based parties are simply being ignored as they are too insignificant. Together they can fight for justice and equality and demand for the 20 points that formed the basis of Sarawak’s and Sabah’s entry into the federation of Malaysia to be implemented. When Malaysian was formed the status of Sabah and Sarawak was equal to the status of Malaya. In other words, the three – Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya (and Singapore at that time) were equal partners. But today, Sarawak and Sabah are just like a State of Perlis or Melaka, which is smaller than the Kapit Division.
Because of the current political scenario brought about by the March elections, some of the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns are now attracted to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). But to many of us joining PKR individually will not make any difference as you will only add to its number and strength; you cannot make any major decisions. Preferably, the Kadazandusuns and Dayaks should form one single party for example the Dayak Kadazandusun Party (DKP) and this party in turn will join Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance) as the fourth member of the coalition. In this process, the People’s Alliance will not only be strong and formidable, but the most important of all, it ensures the future of the Kadazandusuns and Dayaks enabling them to play greater role and say in the Federal Government.
DKP is in a better position to demand from the People’s Alliance Government for example for the post of deputy prime minister to be given to Sabah or Sarawak, for more Sabahans and Sarawakians be appointed to senior federal posts, for more oil royalty, more development funds, more business opportunities and for the Dayaks the return of NCR land to the rightful owners etc and etc.
Now the ball is being kicked to the courts of the Dayak and Kadazandusun communities. The question is who is to start the ball rolling?
It is true the basic aims of the two chambers are fighting for business opportunities for their members and their communities. But the second gawai-kaamatan celebration has kept in momentum the aspirations of the members, while at the same time further strengthening their bonds of friendship, and bringing the Dayak and Kadazandusun communities culturally and politically. Next year it will be KCCI’s turn to play hosts to its counterparts.
The presence of big names in politics gave impetus to some sort of political understanding between the two communities. Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Bernard Dompok and other high profile personalities and cultural groups from Sabah and Deputy Minster Joseph Salang, Leo Moggie, Daniel Tajem, Leonard Linggi and Celestine Ujang and Sarawak’s cultural groups are clear signs of a bigger thing to come.
As one Dayak leader said: “Being neighbours and of similar cultural heritage, this makes it the more importance for the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns to work together not only in the economic and cultural aspects, but also in the political field.”
The idea of forming a regional political party for the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns immediately comes into mind. Such an idea was thought of more than 10 years ago, but it was abandoned due to partly lack of support and partly it was a bit so sensitive. Behind the idea was Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) who was then in the Opposition and the then Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) whose position was rather unique - it was in the government in the federal Barisan and an opposition in the State. It was perceived by Kuala Lumpur as too regionalistic. So PBDS under Moggie chickened out.
Now the political scenario has changed. The political tsunami that hit the shores of West Malaysia and is fast spreading towards East Malaysia, offers, perhaps, an opportune time to reconsider and revive a regional political union, a Dayak Kadazandusun political party.
With a political entity such as this, Dayaks and Kadazandusuns will be able to exert powerful influence on federal politics than it is today where both the Dayak-based and Kadazandusun-based parties are simply being ignored as they are too insignificant. Together they can fight for justice and equality and demand for the 20 points that formed the basis of Sarawak’s and Sabah’s entry into the federation of Malaysia to be implemented. When Malaysian was formed the status of Sabah and Sarawak was equal to the status of Malaya. In other words, the three – Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya (and Singapore at that time) were equal partners. But today, Sarawak and Sabah are just like a State of Perlis or Melaka, which is smaller than the Kapit Division.
Because of the current political scenario brought about by the March elections, some of the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns are now attracted to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). But to many of us joining PKR individually will not make any difference as you will only add to its number and strength; you cannot make any major decisions. Preferably, the Kadazandusuns and Dayaks should form one single party for example the Dayak Kadazandusun Party (DKP) and this party in turn will join Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance) as the fourth member of the coalition. In this process, the People’s Alliance will not only be strong and formidable, but the most important of all, it ensures the future of the Kadazandusuns and Dayaks enabling them to play greater role and say in the Federal Government.
DKP is in a better position to demand from the People’s Alliance Government for example for the post of deputy prime minister to be given to Sabah or Sarawak, for more Sabahans and Sarawakians be appointed to senior federal posts, for more oil royalty, more development funds, more business opportunities and for the Dayaks the return of NCR land to the rightful owners etc and etc.
Now the ball is being kicked to the courts of the Dayak and Kadazandusun communities. The question is who is to start the ball rolling?
