DJ steps forward in Hulu Rajang PKR leadership bid

For years Wing Miku has been better known under the moniker of Sarawak's famous warrior "Stanley Rentap" in his role as a campaigning deejay at the independent media project Radio Free Sarawak (RFS).

However, earlier this month, he took a major step by "coming out" about his work and his true identity after he threw his hat in the ring to run for the post of Hulu Rajang PKR division chief.

If successful, this could mark the first step in a new political career which he hopes might lead to a role in Parliament.

Hulu Rajang is Malaysia's single largest constituency, and Wing has his roots both in the Kayan and Punan people who occupy the sparsely populated region, subject to major depredations caused by logging and other forms of destruction and exploitation in recent years.

The challenges posed for anyone seeking to campaign across the sprawling wild terrain are truly daunting. However, as a local born boy from a long line of activists, it is clear he regards himself destined for the task.

"My father is a government retiree, now 78 years old. He was actively involved in government from a young age. His last position was senior supervisor at the Community Development Department (Kemas). He was moved to several places before retiring on suspicion of not supporting the government.

"We were transferred to the Julau parliamentary constituency when I was in Form 4, which is why I am also fluent in Iban. My father remains true to the principle of opposing wrong government policies," he said.

Wing Miku with members of a longhouse community

Over the past weeks, he has been crisscrossing between settlements listening to people's concerns and putting his own case. He said he travels the hard way, by boat and on foot, unlike the government party politicians who have helicopters.

He explains why he has made the decision now to move from advocacy and communications into politics.

"I have spent a decade promoting democracy and persuading Malaysians to believe in change through elections. The culmination was Pakatan Harapan's victory over BN in the 2018 elections.

"Yet, after Harapan was overthrown, people have begun to lose faith in voting for change. That explains what happened in the four state elections of Sabah, Melaka, Sarawak and Johor.

"So, I think in this challenging time, talking through a radio outlet alone is not enough. I felt I had to go down the field, talk on the open stage," he said.

Problems in Hulu Rajang

For years RFS has had to operate clandestinely to avoid harassment, moving eventually online. Wing and his colleagues have struggled to keep the daily show alive during the lockdowns.

However, Wing believes that his experience at the radio project has given him the skills and understanding to take him forward.

"The biggest benefit of working at RFS has been the opportunity to interview anyone. No matter the rank or position. No matter from which political party, as long as there are issues that need to be highlighted. If there is something that affects your human rights, RFS lets you have a say.

"Of course, there have been threats from the authorities, but the government should be grateful to RFS for revealing the problems faced by minorities in the interior of Sarawak."

The Hulu Rajang constituency, said Wing, faced problems which were hard to imagine elsewhere. He said electricity tariffs for some remote locations were even higher than for industrial uses.

Bakun Dam

Three mega-dams - Baleh, Murum and Bakun - are also located in the constituency, which has displaced many locals, causing hardship.

"Oil palm plantations were opened on a large scale and yet the majority of workers are brought from neighbouring Indonesia. Logging activities are still active, but the benefits have never been for us. No one has ever been charged for illegal logging. Environmental criminals roam free.

"The measure of the well-being of the rural population depends on the basic facilities provided by the government. Hulu Rajang does not have a hospital. Roads to most longhouses do not yet exist," he said.

The PKR leadership elections kick off on May 13, and party members in Sarawak will vote on May 22.  

---

RACHEL DONALD is a climate corruption journalist. Her works have appeared in The Guardian, Mongabay and Sarawak Report. She also runs the Planet: Critical podcast series. - Mkini