Posts
Borneo Herald
9.00PM MYT, 3-8-2026
By Jayden Lisandu
KOTA KINABALU: What began as just murmuring behind walls on Melanaus dominating top posts in Sarawak is now coming into the open with no lesser than a Dayak profesor raising it recently.
Prof Dr Jayum Jawan of Universiti Putra Malaysia highligthed what he saw as unfair for the majority Dayak being sidelined in the Sarawak civil service in favour of the minority Melayu Melanaus.
The Melayu Melanaus refer to Muslim Melanaus, as there are also Christian Melanaus in the Borneo state.
A well known Sarawak activist, Robert Saweng, in a statement in Kuching today too has called on for Premier Datuk Abang Zohari Openg to be more open, transparent and measurable in the matter.
"As Prof Dr Jayum has consistently emphasised, the Dayak community is not asking for special privileges, but for fairness, justice and equal opportunities to progress.
"I welcome the Premier's assurance that appointments in the Sarawak Civil Service are based on merit, qualifications and capability, however meritocracy must be transparent, measurable and open to public scrutiny," he said.
Saying it has been an open secret that Dayaks especially are not happy with their current disenfranchised situation, Robert suggested that one way Sarawak to restore trust is by forming an Independent Equal Opportunity Oversight Committee.
"I am not calling for ethnic quotas or preferential treatment. I am calling for justice, equal opportunity and a transparent system where every qualified Sarawakian has a fair chance to serve and contribute to the state's development," the activist said.
According to Robert, recent publicly circulated data on 46 selected top positions in Sarawak indicates that 74% are held by Malay/Melanau/Muslim (MMM), while Dayaks and Chinese each hold 13%.
He argued that although these figures should be officially verified, they reinforce the need for greater transparency in public appointments.
The issue is not about questioning the competence of any individual or targeting any ethnic community, he further argued.
"It is about ensuring that every qualified Sarawakian—especially those from rural and interior communities—has an equal opportunity to compete and advance based on merit.
"Many talented Sarawakians, particularly from the Dayak community, continue to face structural challenges, including unequal access to quality education, internet connectivity, professional mentoring and interview preparation," he added.
Robert stressed that education remains the foundation for social mobility, while balanced development and equal access to economic opportunities are essential if all communities are to compete fairly.
"The Sarawak Government should publish comprehensive data on recruitment, promotions and senior appointments.
"Transparency will strengthen public confidence and demonstrate that meritocracy is being practised fairly and consistently," he said adding that the oversight committee he proposed must apply a holistic merit framework that values academic achievement, leadership, rural service and community contribution.
"An annual public report on recruitment and promotions are needed, and an outreach and preparation programmes for graduates from rural and interior areas should be there," said Robert.
The activist also said that true meritocracy is measured not only by who succeeds, but by whether every qualified Sarawakian has been given a fair opportunity to succeed.
Meanwhile Borneo Herald also received comments on why the very top posts in Sarawak seem to have avoided qualified Dayaks.
For records no Dayak currently or recently occupied the posts of state Governor or TYT, Premiership, Speaker, State Secretary and State Attorney.#~Borneo Herald™
No comments:
Post a Comment