Why rural S’wakians keep voting ‘feudal’ Taib
KUCHING: Chief Minister Taib Mahmud runs a ‘repressive’ government, one that is 'worse than the communist', says a local activist. Yet the rural people of Sarawak continue to vote him in. Why is that?
“It’s because the government has perfected the method of making the people feel helpless. The government has created a situation where they (natives) are dependent. In everything they (natives) need, they can always depend on the government to provide,” said John Brian.
To further weaken the native network and strengthen his political hold over them, Taib has deviously pursued a divide and rule policy.
His latest is a new policy which splits the Dayak natives into ethnic groups – Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Kelabit and Lun Bawang.
An amendment to the Sarawak Interpretation Ordinance 2004, tabled and passed by the state assembly, has declassified the word 'Dayak'.
The term ‘Dayak' is now banned in all official government communication.
The move, said Brian, paves the way for Taib to pit one community against the other, keep them repressed and ensure his continued rule.
Sense of helplessness
According to him, years of false indoctrination and purposeful exploitation of the native ignorance had contributed to a prevailing 'sense of helplessness’ in the rural areas.
He said not many in the rural and interior areas are educated and this works well for the government .
“The government has been lying and cheating the people by telling them how great their achievements are and how the country has progressed. When you are not educated, its easy to believe them.
“But if you go to the rural areas, nothing has changed: there are no roads, no clean water; and electricity. Healthcare is very poor and the mortality rate remains the highest in the country,” he said.
There are some economic activities provided for by the government via its Minor Rural Projects (MRP), but Brian notes in his blog DayakBaru that the MRP is a ‘miserable’ handout that will not contribute to the economic progress of the rural people.
“I'm still mulling on what type of government is this when it is prepared to see its people getting poorer and poorer by the day.
“To me this is a repressive government which is worse than the communist government,” he added.
FMT
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