KUCHING: Dayak youths have been told not to be influenced by Pakatan Rakyat’s call for change or ubah.

Infrastructure and Communication Development Minister Datuk Michael Manyin Jawong said ubah propagated meritocracy, which was unsuitable for Sarawak.

He said the Dayaks were still not on the same level with other Malaysians in terms of development and competitiveness.

“Do not be carried away by calls for ubah. As a community that originated from the rural areas, we are not on the same level with others.

“If we use ubah, are we prepared for meritocracy?” he asked at the launch of Pertubuhan Belia Dayak Sarawak (Pebedas) Kuching Branch here Saturday night.

Manyin said the scenario between urban and rural areas was very different and that those living in the interior would face a lot of disadvantages if meritocracy was applied to all.

He called on Pebedas members to help bridge the digital divide between the urban and rural dwellers.

He also hoped that Pebedas could assist the state government dispel lies spread by Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) in rural areas.

“What does RFS, which is based in London, really know about Dayaks living in rural areas like Baram, Kapit and Lawas?” he asked.

“Let’s put our heads together to overcome this challenge (from RFS),” he added.

Manyin, who is Pebedas patron, said as an experienced Dayak leader, he was willing to share what he had learned over the years with members.

He said there were some things in life that could not be learned from textbooks but through experience.

Earlier, Pebedas president Daniel Batin said the society was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies last Oct 10 in line with the Youth Development Act.

He said since then, Pebedas had set up a branch in every division except in Betong, Sarikei and Kota Samarahan.

Daniel said he and the rest of the Pebedas founders saw the need to have a society that would serve as a platform for Dayak youths from Tanjung Datu to Lawas to voice their needs and develop their potential in line with the country’s aspirations.

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