ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to portray the power matrix of the Dayak/Iban vis-a-vis the other communities. In simple terms, the power matrix is based on the numbers of state and federal legislative seats held by a political party. The political development of Dayak/Iban political participation saw its marginalization vis-a-vis Malay/Melanau and the Chinese. While political unity and consolidation characterized Malay/Melanau in Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Dayak/Iban unity and consolidation collapsed with Sarawak National Party entry into the ruling coalition. Many incidents have led to conflicts between the Dayaks/Ibans and the state government, and between the former and land developers, who have been given the right and access to land claimed by the former. The possibility for Dayaks to play a prominent role again in the formation of the state government may be in the next state general election that must be held by 2021.
