SARAWAK Deputy Chief Minister James Masing today said the state will never allow or agree to the Putrajaya’s proposal to appoint its own community leaders even if that results in two leaders in each community.

He said it is a policy of divide and rule.

“Divide and rule is not acceptable,” he said, warning Putrajaya not to take Sarawak leaders for fools.

This is in response to Deputy Rural Development Minister R. Sivarasa’s announcement in Kuching last night that the federal cabinet has agreed to the ministry to appoint community leaders, as early as January 1.

Masing said “Sarawak has the prerogative to endorse the election of community leaders”.

He also defended the state’s system of appointing longhouse chiefs, village headmen, pemanca and temenggong that the opposition have long claimed to be politically biased.

He said polls were held before the leaders were appointed.

“Among the Dayak community, especially the Iban, the tuai rumah (longhouse chief) is elected by the community.

“After elected, the state government will endorse it.

“In the Orang Ulu community, there is an election but governed by its social structure and norms.”

Masing said the process of electing longhouse chiefs “has been practised over the years”.

“For the Pakatan Harapan government to assume otherwise, is a reflection of their ignorance of Sarawak’a social structure and culture.

“Sivarasa has been wrongly advised on the process of electing community leaders in Sarawak. It’s a pity he has been made a fool of Sarawak’s social culture.”

Sivarasa had said his ministry “will do our best to avoid disunity”.

After Pakatan Harapan won the general election last year, it tried to fulfil its promise by ensuring community leaders, particularly longhouse chiefs, were elected by their anak biak (people). – September 16, 2019.