My Longkang

Six representatives including three longhouse chiefs in Ulu Suai, Niah commended Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for speaking out on the gangsterism issue.

They were at a media conference to make their stories known. They alleged that they had been threatened them over the development of their NCL in Ulu Suai last December. They are still fearful for their well-being and they repeated their call to the relevant authorities to follow up the case where a local farmer was bashed up by six men.

Apparently a police report had been lodged at the Batu Niah police station on Dec 18, 2006, but with little apparent effect. They said the authorities should put a stop to gangsterism.

“But if you must stop these activities, you must go all out to the grassroots. It is like when you want to get rid of a tree you must make sure that not only you cut down the tree, but the roots too must be destroyed in order to stop it from growing again,” they said.

“We know the case involved gangsters but they (police) too must take heed over our report even though we all know that life could be at stake when action is to be taken, but who do we seek assistance from if not from them!” alleged Rajang.

Not forgotten is the tragedy in 1999 where five people were killed in a clash with the locals in Ulu Niah.

Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s speech in parliment has certainly been effective in opening up a whole can of worms. This is another case which has apparently been swept under the carpet. Perhaps this is because before this, they had no one to champion their cause.

This issue of NCL ( native customary land ) and the issue where a longhouse was demolished despite a court order is going to cause a lot of embarrassment to the ruling government in the coming elections. Prior to this we had an express owner coming forward alleging passengers in the third division were paying money to a syndicate for every trip they made.

There are a lot of other rumours floating around on the ’supposed influence’ of the gangsters on the local economy. The politician has done his bit. But it is time to let the police do the work they have been trained for : to uncover what has been covered without fear or favour.

It is mylongkang’s humble opinion things will never be quite the same again. The humble rakyat is beginning to realize he has human rights and a right to demand for what is rightfully his. Before this focus on crime in sarawak, the humble rakyat had a defeatist and pessimistic attitude. Now, the rakyat expects more. I hope somewhere the ruling coalition is reading this. The customary giving of water-tanks, better roads and new roofs etc may not work when the people are incensed over particular issues deemed important to them e.g. the right to earn an honest, decent living without interference from unwelcome third parties.