I just returned from a visit to Beijing and Xi’an. Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province and home to the Terracotta Army, has a history of more than 3,100 years.
It was the seat of power of 13 dynasties in China, most notably Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang.
One thought struck me when visiting the historic sites in Xi’an – that in Malaysia, the time has come for dynastic change after 54 years of Umno-hegemonised Barisan Nasional to equal-power-sharing Pakatan Rakyat in the next 13th general election.
The 416 Sarawak general election is a momentous forerunner to the forthcoming national elections – as it has heightened expectations in Sarawak and Malaysia that for the first time in the nation’s history, change of federal power in Putrajaya is within reach.
In the 308 political tsunami of the 2008 general election, Sarawak and Sabah saved the federal power of Umno and Barisan Nasional, which is why they are described as BN “deposit states”.
Sarawak and Sabah will play critical roles in the 13th general election in the country, as they will decide whether UMNO and Barisan Nasional continue in power in Putrajaya or Pakatan Rakyat replaces BN as the new Malaysian government.
Pakatan Rakyat must aim to win 30 parliamentary seats in Sarawak and Sabah to effect a change of government in Putrajaya.
Can PR win about 15 parliamentary seats in Sarawak in the 13th general election?
The 12 DAP State Assembly representatives must have this goal as their guiding objective in everyone of their statements, speeches and actions.
DAP in Sarawak must continue to reach out to all communities to help PR achieve this objective in Sarawak.
For this reason, I propose the formation of DAP Dayak Brain Trust to advise DAP Sarawak and DAP Malaysia on strategy to end Dayak marginalisation and spur Dayak awakening as integral part of Malaysian renaissance.
Members of the Dayak Brain Trust need not be confined to DAP members – in fact I envisage that the overwhelming majority of the Dayak Brain Trust comprising outstanding Dayak personalities in different fields will not be DAP members.
The DAP Dayak Brain Trust should craft a strategy for Dayak political revival and regeneration so that Dayaks can play a full part in the political, economic, cultural and intellectual renaissance of Malaysia.
* Speech (1) at the opening of the DAP State Assembly Reps’ Workshop in Sibu