Dayaks want equal rights

DNC says Dayaks as citizens, not subjects and governments must treat them as such.

KUCHING: The Dayak National Congress (DNC), which replaced the deregistered Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), does not want its struggle to be perceived as “extremist and racist” in nature but one which seeks equal rights for three million Dayaks in Sabah and Sarawak as citizens.

“In Malaysia, there are many communities which speak up for their rights…so we (Dayak) also want to be like other Malaysians,” said DNC president Mengga Mekui after the apolitical movement’s first Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

“What we are asking for is our rights and for equality and these are fair requests.”

Mengga was making the argument that Putrajaya and the Sabah and Sarawak Governments should treat Dayaks as citizens and not subjects, the status they had during a brief period of British colonial rule after World War II.

He warned that Dayaks were lagging behind in almost every aspect of life and the continuation of this situation could compromise the security of the Federation.

The DNC, formed a year ago as an umbrella group for Dayaks in Sabah and Sarawak, wants to focus on economy, education and culture to bring the community into the mainstream.

Those interested in the DNC can contact the secretary-general Richard Lias at 016-575 9383.