Sarawak summons spirits to protect BN

A traditional Iban 'miring' ceremony is allegedly being held to protect BN candidates from the 'spell' of the opposition.

KUCHING: Under the shroud of darkness in the Betong areas of Saribas, Layar and Bukit Saban, gods and spirits were being summoned to protect its Barisan Nasional (BN) masters as Sarawak slips into its most politically defining election journey.

As at 9pm last night, sources in Betong confirmed that an extensive traditional Iban “miring” ceremony was underway.

The ceremony allegedly involved the offering of blood sacrifices and several chickens and piglets were said to have been slaughtered.

The ceremony which allegedly began at 8pm was to have lasted until midnight.

Several BN candidates and incumbents were also said to have been invited to participate in the ceremony allegedly organised by Layar constituency incumbent Alfred Jabu Numpang.

Jabu is also Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Minister and the deputy president of Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the lead party in the Sarawak BN coalition.

According to a source in Betong, a traditional Iban “miring” ceremony is carried for many reasons, including thanksgiving and seeking self-protection.

According to the source, Jabu is allegedly calling on the gods and spirits to protect him against his rivals in Layar as well as to cast a spell on all who oppose BN.

Layar is poised to be a hot seat as Jabu, who has held the constituency for 36 years, faces a likely three- or maybe even four-cornered fight.

Already set to join the ring to wrestle Jabu are former Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) information chief Tedewin Ngumbang, PKR’s Stanny Embat and Sarawak Nasional Party’s (SNAP) Joe Unggang.

Unconfirmed e-mail

The sacrificial ceremony came to light following an unconfirmed e-mail late this evening alleging that Jabu and his BN cohorts were “offering blood sacrifices” to invoke “all the evil spirits to cast spells and curses” on the opposition.

The e-mail noted that such actions “will have a bad impact, spiritual and physical, on the Iban natives for another few generations”.

The e-mail writer also predicted that “there will be some supernatural manifestations tomorrow (April 6) in the surrounding areas”.

Ironically, it was only two weeks ago that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told natives in Sarawak not to believe in the “ghosts and demons” allegedly flagged by the opposition.

Sarawakian political parties are set to nominate their candidates today.

There are 71 state constituencies in sprawling Sarawak. BN currently holds 63 of these seats.

Speculations are rife that BN could lose up to 20 seats going into polls on April 16.

Image used is a file picture. - FMT