Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing has distanced himself from his deputy’s proposal to drop the term ‘Dayak’, which has provoked angry reactions from those representing the community.

Joseph Entulu, who is also federal deputy minister, had reportedly suggested last Saturday that the word be replaced by the individual name of the 26 non-Muslim native communities in the state.

james masing “Entulu’s statement does not reflect (the party’s position). As an anthropologist, I say the term ‘Dayak’ covers a very large group, and even if the term may become useless one day, it will not be during his time,” said Masing.

“What is important is that the term ‘Dayak’ is a useful generic to cover mostly non-Muslims or maybe Melanaus.”

Entulu’s proposal has elicited strong reactions. In Dayak blogs, there are literally hundreds of comments criticising him, with some calling for his resignation as a Dayak MP if he is so ashamedof his ethnic roots.

Masing realises that the criticism is not good for his party which is trying to become a Dayak-based party in the vacuum left by the de-registration of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) in October 2004. It has been trying to woo partyless Dayaks to join PRS.

However, Masing agreed that the term lain-lain (others) should be dropped from official documents and forms, and replaced by Dayak Iban, Dayak Bidayuh and Dayak Orang Ulu to reflect the three major groups in Sarawak.

“There is no such race as lain-lain, ” said Masing.

Denial by Entulu

When contacted, Entulu strongly denied that he had ever suggested that the term ‘Dayak’ be dropped.

joseph entulu He said angrily: “Firstly, I deny that I had said it. Secondly I disagree with those who try to drop the term ’Dayak’ and I will oppose anyone who tries to (ban) the term ‘Dayak’.

“I am among leaders of Barisan Nasional (who want) the term lain-lain dropped in Sarawak, because it is not appropriate to (identify) any race.

“I wanted lain-lain to be dropped from official forms. I didn’t say that I wanted the term ‘Dayak’ to be dropped.”

In 2004 the state legislative assembly amended the Sarawak Interpretation Ordinance to ban the use of 'Dayak' in official communication.

gawai dawak 020607 chicken For example, Gawai Dayak is simply known as Hari Gawai, terong Dayak (eggplant) has been changed to terong Mas . And this was said to be the main reason why the Malaysian Dayak Congress’ application for registration as a society was rejected.

None of the Dayak elected representatives at the time had raised objections during the debate on the amendment.

But it became a campaign issue highlighted by Daniel Tajem, former PBDS president, during the 2006 state elections.

And because of the strong reaction from the Dayak communities, the Bill has yet to receive the assent of the governor, to be gazetted as law.