DAP Dayak Consultative Council calls for two-party system

Dayak Consultative Council (DCC) of Democratic Action Party (DAP) is of the view that a two-party system is good for the country.

It said the system would act as a check and balance to keep politicians on their feet.

“We in the Dayak Consultative Council support the emerging two-party system in the country for the benefits it will bring to the people,” said Dr John Brian Anthony at a press conference in DAP Piasau service centre yesterday.

He pointed out that the previous system of having many different opposition parties and independents does not provide sufficient competition to Barisan Nasional (BN), which enabled the coalition to win every general election easily.

“Having so many symbols or party flags to choose from is confusing, so a two-party system simplifies their choice, and ensures that the alternative has sufficient ability to rule should they win the mandate,” said Brian, who comes from Sebauh, Bintulu but is now based in Kuala Lumpur.

He introduced two new members of DCC from Miri, namely businessman Naga Tang who was present and a specialist advisor working in the oil and gas industry Martin Entamin.

Together with Kuala Lumpur-based Duwen Babat and Dr Murni Serit, Kuching-based Edward Luak and Ben Diomedes Ujai, there are currently seven members, with another four vacancies left in the council.

“Dayaks have been with BN for many years, but realised the need for an alternative platform in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to address outstanding issues confronting Dayaks,” he said.

Now that DAP is reaching out to Dayaks through initiatives such as the DCC, Brian considered it a good platform for Dayak professionals to push their cause through politics.

“DAP provides the best platform due to its proven strength at national level with its base in the Penang state government, and because it’s the best established opposition party in Sarawak with two MPs and 12 Aduns,” he added.

Meanwhile, Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling Sie Kiong welcomed DCC as a useful collaboration between the Chinese and Dayak communities in achieving their common goals of addressing long-standing problems not addressed by BN.

Pujut assemblyman Fong Pau Teck believes DCC will help DAP answer accusations that DAP is not qualified to tackle Dayak issues now that they have qualified Dayak professionals in their midst.

Also present were DAP Senadin chairlady Lim Su Kien and DAP Miri Legal Aid Bureau chief Chang Choon Yee.