Wild boar, chicken and prayers for Ting’s success

Iban community make offerings for SUPP candidate shouldering a large weight to wrest Piasau back from the Opposition.

MIRI: The Iban community slaughtered a wild boar and a chicken in prayers last night for an election victory for the Barisan Nasional candidate, Sebastian Ting of SUPP.

With prayers came an entreaty from the SUPP’s Kampung Api-Api community chairman, Jemat anak Ibat for the voters to return to the BN.

“The Opposition is only good with words, after the election is over, we don’t see their faces any more,” he said.

“Even though in the last election, many ran away from BN, this time we must all unite and support Datuk. Don’t follow the Opposition any more,” Jemat said at the prayer event, held at the community hall in which Ting was also present.

Prior to Ting’s arrival, a wild boar was slaughtered as part of the prayer event.

Ting who arrived with his wife and several SUPP members, sat on the floor as a villager held on to a chicken (ayam kampung), reciting prayers accompanied by traditional music.

In the Iban community, this is known as the ‘miring’ ritual, in which they ask for blessings and protection from the ‘Keling’ god – one of the main deities in the Iban traditional belief.

After the recitation of prayers, the chicken was slaughtered, as they held the ‘miring’ ritual to pray for Ting’s victory next Saturday, when Sarawakians choose their new state assembly.

According to Kampung Api-Api SUPP secretary Christopher Pilo, while many Iban people have embraced other religions, they still maintain their customs and culture.

“The wild boar was slaughtered to call upon ‘Keling’ to be with Sebastian, while the chicken was used during the prayer recital,” Christopher explained.

Ting thanked those present for organising the ritual to pray for his success. “I promise to work hard with you. Kasi aku satu peluang (Give me one chance),” Ting said, using his slogan which is also part of his campaign posters and banners.

The Piasau state seat was won by the DAP at the 2011 elections, when Alan Ling brought off a surprise victory over then SUPP chairman Dr George Chan with a 1,590-vote majority.

It can be said that Ting is among the SUPP leaders shouldering a large weight to wrest the seat back from the Opposition.