KUCHING - A 49 year-old Doris Brodie (pic above), Women chief of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has been sworn in as a senator at the Dewan Negara, making her as the second Iban woman to be appointed as a senator.
The first Iban woman is Empiang Jabu of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra.
PRS President James Masing described Doris’s appointment as an honour to the Dayak women in the State.
He said: “Indeed it is an honour for PRS and Dayak women folk in the rural areas of Sarawak for Doris to be appointed as a senator.
“We would like to thank Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud for their support in putting Doris as a senator,” Masing said.
It is understood that Masing met the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Kuching and requested for a post of senator be given to his party.
The name of Doris Brodie was given to the Prime Minister who on the “spot” approved the appointment.
All parties in the State Barisan Nasional have each a candidate to be appointed as a senator. PBB has two, one to represent Parti Bumiputra and the Malay community and the other Pesaka and the Dayak community.
When Sarawak National Party (SNAP) was still in the Barisan, its allocation was always held by a non-Dayak and when Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) formed out of SNAP in 2002, SPDP continues the tradition of appointing a non-Dayak as a senator until today.
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) which broke away from SNAP in 1983 was not given such an allocation. Its allocation was held by SNAP.
PRS, which has replaced PBDS, is now happy that the government has finally recognised the role of the rural-based party like PRS to be allocated a senator post.
So for the first time in 46 years the Dayak community has a senator who comes from a party, other than Pesaka, that represents the Dayak community.
For this, Masing must be praised for his effort as he dares to ask the Prime Minister directly. Usually such appointment must be nominated through Taib Mahmud and Alfred Jabu. But if such an appointment is to be made through a proper channel, i.e. through Taib and Jabu, I am surely they will object it.
I was told that when Masing informed Taib about Doris’ appointment, Taib was taken aback.
Even the appointments of community leaders (Temenggong, Pemancha, Penghulu and Tuai Rumah), I am give to understand must pass through Jabu. Many Iban areas now have been waiting for community leaders, for instance, Limbang and Sarikei to name a few - all because, the nominees are not PBB supporters or members.
These are the grouses overheard by The Broken Shield.
Source: www.thebrokenshield.blogspot.com
The first Iban woman is Empiang Jabu of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra.
PRS President James Masing described Doris’s appointment as an honour to the Dayak women in the State.
He said: “Indeed it is an honour for PRS and Dayak women folk in the rural areas of Sarawak for Doris to be appointed as a senator.
“We would like to thank Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud for their support in putting Doris as a senator,” Masing said.
It is understood that Masing met the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Kuching and requested for a post of senator be given to his party.
The name of Doris Brodie was given to the Prime Minister who on the “spot” approved the appointment.
All parties in the State Barisan Nasional have each a candidate to be appointed as a senator. PBB has two, one to represent Parti Bumiputra and the Malay community and the other Pesaka and the Dayak community.
When Sarawak National Party (SNAP) was still in the Barisan, its allocation was always held by a non-Dayak and when Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) formed out of SNAP in 2002, SPDP continues the tradition of appointing a non-Dayak as a senator until today.
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) which broke away from SNAP in 1983 was not given such an allocation. Its allocation was held by SNAP.
PRS, which has replaced PBDS, is now happy that the government has finally recognised the role of the rural-based party like PRS to be allocated a senator post.
So for the first time in 46 years the Dayak community has a senator who comes from a party, other than Pesaka, that represents the Dayak community.
For this, Masing must be praised for his effort as he dares to ask the Prime Minister directly. Usually such appointment must be nominated through Taib Mahmud and Alfred Jabu. But if such an appointment is to be made through a proper channel, i.e. through Taib and Jabu, I am surely they will object it.
I was told that when Masing informed Taib about Doris’ appointment, Taib was taken aback.
Even the appointments of community leaders (Temenggong, Pemancha, Penghulu and Tuai Rumah), I am give to understand must pass through Jabu. Many Iban areas now have been waiting for community leaders, for instance, Limbang and Sarikei to name a few - all because, the nominees are not PBB supporters or members.
These are the grouses overheard by The Broken Shield.
Source: www.thebrokenshield.blogspot.com
