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

Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has called upon the Malaysian government to officially recognize the Dayak ethnic group, rather than categorizing them under the broader "Others" classification in government forms and systems. During a meeting with the Prime Minister's Department's Sabah and Sarawak affairs division, PBDS leaders, including PBDS president John Brian Anthony, urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to prioritize this issue.

Sanjan Daik, PBDS secretary-general, emphasized that the recognition of Dayak identity should extend beyond mere classification changes, encompassing historical acknowledgment, indigenous status, and the community's dignity. Despite a 2015 Cabinet agreement to include Dayak in official forms, implementation has been limited to forms that do not require legislative amendments.

Some forms still leave the race section blank, while others offer specific options. PBDS seeks the Madani administration to ensure the principles of equality, inclusiveness, and respect for diversity are implemented in response to this call.