Communication and intervention: an overview of longhouse politics in Sarawak, East Malaysia

The discrepancy between the goals of political policies and in beneficiaries is apparent in rural development. One reason is the lack of political clout by rural people themselves to influence policy decisions that affect their livelihoods. If rural development is to benefit these people, upward influence in policy decisions should go hand in hand with development policies. Ideally, both government agents and politicians should commit themselves to support the people's agenda, and any government intervention should reflect political response to grassroots demands.