DIGGING A BIGGER HOLE

 DIGGING A BIGGER HOLE…

Many young Ibans were unhappy with JJM’s remarks ( “ I’m now too old to fight for a lost cause, to unite all the Dayaks. Instead, let us now join hands and fight for the interest of all Sarawakians ”). This led to calls on him to resign.  This is his reply (as reported by BP)

“It’s good to know that young Dayak turks have high hopes of what they could and wish to achieve for their communities. That’s a good start. But they haven’t gone through the ‘battle fields’ of politics as I and some veteran Dayaks YBs have…

“To achieve the correct balance is easier said than done. Political bravado and emotion are not good enough to do the job…

“Youth may offer vitality, but age and experience provide wisdom in administering and guiding this nation to move forward peacefully.So please don’t mistake youth as a good and only replacement for experience in politics…”

The debate on experience vs youth (new blood) will never be conclusive because there are examples from both views. Those who say youth like to point to Finland and other Scandinavian/First world countries.

What is not under dispute is that there are very few political leaders in this world who can bring real change after more than 10 years. Most become entrenched after 10 years and are only interested in power/money after that.

Sarawakians should know better because Sarawak was ruled by one man from 1981 to 2014. You have to ask who benefited the most during the 33 years. Some even say “The White Rajah” never left Sarawak because he came back in 1981 !!

Sabah’s example is largely similar. During the period 2003-2018, who benefited the most? Infact, he is trying to copy what The White Rajah did-  word in KK is that he is on track to be Sabah’s next TYT.

The bottom line-

key Dayak leaders and when they were first elected (*selected list- I had to leave some out):

1) JJM – since  1983 - 37 years and counting

2) Alfred Jabu- 1974-2016 – total 42 years. The seat is now held by the son

3) Manyin- since 1996 - 24 years and counting

4) Mong Dagang- since 1996 - 24 years and counting

5) Douglas Uggah Embas- since 1986 - 34 years and counting

6) William mawan- since 1991 - 29 years and counting

7) John Sikie- since 1991 - 29 years and counting

8) Ambrose Blikau- since 1991 - 29 years and counting

9) Edward Jeli- 1970-1996- 26 years

10) Balan Seling - 1970-1996- 26 years

11) Roland Sagah – since 1996- 24 years and counting

12) Richard Riot- since 1990 – 30 years and counting

If experience is the “key” then my selected list shows there is plenty of experience to go by- all of the above have served more than 24 years or a quarter of a century. These 12 gentlemen collectively more than 300 years of “leadership” and “experience”.

One guy alone served 42 years and the seat is now held by the son- so maybe it’s a family seat now?

This pattern is repeated in the Malay/Melanau seats and to a lesser extent, in the Chinese seats.

Why don’t we just face the truth? In the Sarawak context, words such as “experience” “continuity” “jangan lawan towkay” “politics of development” are just self-serving excuses to stay in power. Why don’t Sarawakians just face the truth?

Putting it in a very simply way- if you cannot bring physical development (roads, clean water, 24-hr electricity, internet, etc) after a quarter of a century, isn’t it time to move aside and let someone else try?

* If you agree, please viral this post*