Get your own platform, leave Dayak struggle to us, PBDS tells PBK
Dr John Brian Anthony
KUCHING (June 16): Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) ought to stop leveraging on the Dayak struggle but instead focus on their own platform and objectives, said Dr John Brian Anthony.
The Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) permanent chairman said the party took note of recent comments and gestures made by PBK on social media, apparently expressing support for certain positions already taken by PBDS.
While acknowledging PBK's right to comment on public matters, he said it is PBDS' unwavering mission to represent, protect, and empower the Dayak people politically, economically, and culturally.
'Our struggle is rooted in the history, identity, and aspirations of the Dayak community, and we have paid the price of marginalisation to uphold our integrity and independence.
'We respectfully urge PBK and any other political entities to avoid using the Dayak cause as a political leverage point to gain popularity or score political mileage.
'If your cause is strong, let it stand on its own merit. Do not ride on the Dayak name without truly understanding or representing our struggles on the ground,' he said in a statement.
John said Sarawakians deserve to see what PBK stands for in action and not merely by commenting on what other parties are doing.
'True collaboration among Sarawak-based parties must be based on mutual respect, clear boundaries, and recognition of each other's unique identity and struggles,' he added.
Nevertheless, he said PBDS remains open to genuine dialogue and cooperation with any party that shares its values of justice, equity, and indigenous empowerment.
However, he stressed that such cooperation must not be at the expense of the Dayak community's dignity or political autonomy.
'Let each party speak for its people, work on its mission, and be judged by its performance—not by political theatrics,' he said.
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