Recognise ‘Dayak’ as official race classification, PBDS urges govt

Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has urged Putrajaya to recognise “Dayak” as an official ethnic category instead of grouping the community under “Others” in government forms and systems.

PBDS secretary-general Sanjan Daik said party leaders, including PBDS president John Brian Anthony, made the appeal during a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Department’s Sabah and Sarawak affairs division yesterday.

The meeting at the PBDS headquarters was with Ahmad Nazib Johari, a political secretary to the prime minister and also the former Sarawak PKR chairman.

“The recognition of Dayak identity must not remain an issue that is repeatedly discussed from time to time without any definitive resolution,” Sanjan said, according to Borneo Post.

Sanjan, formerly of DAP, said that in 2015, then minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Joseph Entulu Belaun announced that the Cabinet had agreed to include “Dayak” in official forms.

However, Sanjan said its implementation was limited to official forms that did not require amending existing laws.

He said some forms left the race section blank, allowing applicants to fill in their ethnicity, but others provided specific options.

“The recognition of Dayak identity goes beyond changing a classification on government forms, as it is also a matter of historical recognition, indigenous status and the dignity of the community.

“PBDS is appealing to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to make the matter a government priority, and ensure that the Madani administration’s principles of equality, inclusiveness and respect for diversity are translated into action,” said Sanjan.