HENRY NG MUST APOLOGIZE TO THE IBAN COMMUNITY OF SARAWAK

SarawakPAS Youth (DewanPemuda PAS Sarawak) strongly condemns the article published in the Asian Beacon magazine which is derogatory towards the Iban community in Sarawak. Henry Ng’s writing is indeed insensitive to the feelings of the Iban community and all Sarawakians as a whole.

Sarawak PAS Youth is of the opinion that, all matters or issues pertaining to the community must be evaluated professionally and fairly. Any statements must be evaluated from all credible aspects and has to be based on facts and not emotional sentiments. Henry Ng’s exaggeration on the drinking and smoking habits of the Ibans is rather an unfair ‘over-generalization’ of the issues since, these problems are also affecting other communities worldwide. Sarawak PAS Youth would like to emphasize the importance of applying a wise approach based on faith and religion in effectively addressing this kind of problems. We also feel that the explanation as provided by the Sibu SDNU Chairman, SaudaraChambaiLindong is sufficient in countering the unfounded claims by Henry Ng on certain food allegedly enjoyed by the Iban community.

At the same time, we would like to highlight our undivided commitment to fight for the rights and interests and of all communities in Sarawak, particularly the oppressed and the forgotten. We are very appalled with the insensitive and irresponsible remarks of Henry Ng, however, we also feel that the current government’s policies of confiscating people’s NCR lands and leaving the rakyat under the cruelty of poverty and lack of basic amenities are also a form of degrading the rakyat. For records, almost 50% of the poor household in the state is from the Iban community while another 20% is amongst the Malays.

In that light, we demand a full retract of  the article and an unconditional apology from Henry Ng to the Iban community of Sarawak for such misguided reporting about the community as published in the Asian Beacon magazine. We also appeal to all parties to be fair and just to ensure continuous harmony in the state.

AIZAN B MOHD NOOR

Sarawak  PAS Vice Youth Chief

Head of Nasional Unity Department (DPPNS)

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