This is however not how Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri runs her show.
For over two weeks now, the Batang Sadong parliamentarian, has ditched protocol and spent her time in the Land of Hornbills for the Gawai Dayak, an annual harvest festival celebrated by the Dayaks in Sarawak.
As part of her time there, Nancy visited one longhouse after another, singing, dancing and eating her way into the people’s hearts.
“I do not come from my own constituency. I’m originally from Kuching, so I’m very thankful to have been accepted by my constituents.
“I have an interest in music, having been a singer myself. I also come from a musically inclined family, so that is something we have in common.
“We have fun together and that’s why I feel so much at home with them. Even from the very beginning, they made me feel at home,” Nancy said to an FMT reporter, who over the weekend followed her on numerous visits to Dayak villages in Sarawak.
At every village, Nancy sat on the floor just like the others who came to join in the festivities. She danced, laughed and spoke with each and every person she met, parting ways with nothing short of a bear-hug or warm handshake.
When asked as to the lack of protocol between her and the villagers, Nancy simply smiled and said the constituents were like her extended family, and any form of formality was therefore completely unnecessary.
“We are in sync with one another. They are like extended family to me and they are not from one race alone. They are from different races and religions.
“That is how it has been all along. This is my second term and we are very close to each other. You must also remember that you are not going to be a minister for the rest of your life.
“Besides, what is the big deal about protocol? You will be a lonely person if you are so concerned about it. That is why I prefer to be who I am.”
Describing her rise to power as “lucky”, Nancy said she did not come from a “high-class” family but one that was more “moderate” and therefore grew up believing she was equal to those around her.
“We are here to work for the people. We are just human beings, and I will respect them (the people) like human beings.”