KUCHING, Jan. 11 -- Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Mordi Bimol said his appointment at the federal level stands as proof that DAP provides space for Dayak leaders to rise and serve.

Countering long-held perceptions that the party is dominated by a single community, Mordi, who is also Sarawak DAP vice-chairman, said his political journey reflected the party's openness to leaders committed to its principles regardless of background.

"People say DAP is a Chinese party. I am Dayak and not Chinese, but I joined DAP. I don't speak or understand Chinese, but here - the mind and the heart - must be strong," he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the newly renovated Sarawak DAP headquarters here today.

"As a deputy minister now, ...