Enhancing Rapport with the People

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud has called on Sarawak Legislative Assembly Members to spend more time with the people.
He said that as the people’s elected representatives, they should know the problems of the people directly from them and not through a third party.

Taib said people of Sarawak had been receiving quality service from their respective representatives but the relationship between the Assemblymen and people must be further improved.

“Elected representatives must also exhibit leadership attributes expected by the people as this is in line with the current political and social setting,” he said at the ‘Dewan Undangan Negeri Bersama Rakyat’ (State Assemblymen with the people) programme at the grounds of the State Assembly here yesterday.
Various activities were organized for the occasion, including street soccer, 3-On-3 basketball, walkathon, chess, fishing, and teh tarik competitions and a stage show.

The scorching sun did not deter a huge crowd from flocking to the parking lots adjacent to Wisma Bapa Malaysia and the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex to witness and participate in the day- long carnival.

The crowd started to gather at the venue as early as 7.30am to make good use of the opportunity to meet and mingle their elected representatives.

Organised by the Sarawak Backbenchers’ Club (SBBC) in collaboration with SABATI and Dewan Undangan Negeri Sports and Recreational Club, the carnival of such a scale was held for the first time. As intended, it created an opportunity for the elected representatives and people to interact socially and enhance their relationship.

Meanwhile, SBBC president Naroden Majais said the hosting of the ‘DUN Bersama Rakyat’ enable the Assemblymen and the people to cross the protocol divide and mingle together in a ‘Family Day’ atmosphere.

He said the DUN belonged to everyone in the state and not just to certain people or selected lot.
“All this while, many among the people had such mindset, thus making the image of DUN as very unfriendly and monotonous, ” said the State Assemblymen for Simunjan.

Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dato Sri James Masing, when met after launching the basketball competition, said the ‘DUN Bersama Rakyat’ succeeded in forging better understanding between the DUN members and society at large.

“It provides an avenue for the DUN members and people to enhance their rapport and get to know each other better,” he said, adding that sporting activities provided a good opportunity for the promotion of social interaction and cross- cultural harmony.