Dayaks “lack element of smartness”?

What does James Masing mean when he condescendingly says the Dayaks “lack the element of smartness” and are thus easily politically manipulated?

Does he mean that the rural Ibans who voted for the BN are lacking the element of smartness? Or were the Dayaks in Batang Ai who voted for the BN lacking the element of smartness?

Who are these leaders who are manipulating the rural Dayaks with projects and promises of development especially during an election campaign? Who are these individuals who have promised the Dayaks fantastic returns under the Salcra plantation development scheme.

I suppose the Dayak leaders from the BN like Masing consider themselves smart and clever. But the question is smart in what?

Dayaks lack element of smartness: Masing

20 April 2009

SRI AMAN: Dayaks are easily politically manipulated because they lack the element of smartness, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dato Sri Dr James Masing.

Speaking at an Easter dinner organised by PRS Bukit Begunan division here on Friday, Masing said this lack of smartness was particularly clearly evident among rural Dayaks whose political stand was seldom firm.

“Politics within the community (Dayak), particularly in rural areas, is fluid until now because there is lack of the smart factor. And because of that they will listen to instigation and get manipulated by certain individuals,” Masing pointed out on Friday night.

Masing, who is Land Development Minister, urged educated and intellectual Dayaks to help educate the members of the community to imbibe them with that element of ‘smartness’.

He added that it was pity that some Dayak intellectuals were going to longhouses to incite the people to hate and reject government policies.

“It is sad to see that many educated and intellectuals from the community (Dayak) are inciting the people and this has caused the Dayak to be further fragmented in politics,” he said.

Such action by the irresponsible people would result in the community lagging behind other races, he stressed.

He called upon the Dayaks in the state to struggle and unite with a common political direction to enable the community to benefit from development process like the other races.

Among those present at the function were Bukit Begunan assemblyman Mong Dagang, Batang Ai assemblyman Malcom Mussen Lamoh and SAO Bujang Ladi and organising chairman Jiram Gendang.

Article from The Borneo Post Online: http://www.theborneopost.com

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