KUCHING: Although Lubok Antu Member of Parliament (MP) Jugah Muyang has submitted his application to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), it was unclear if he will be accepted into the party as many things have changed in the last few years.
Political analyst, James Chin who is Professor of Asian Studies at University of Tasmania, said a lot of people, especially members of the divisional branch, would not be very happy for him to come back.
“Many things have changed (since Jugah quit PRS) and there are many new members at the divisional level as well, hence, many will not agree to have him return to the party,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
“However, at the central level, PRS was left with little choice but to take him back as he is the current MP and an incumbent would stand a higher chance to win the seat in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15),” he said.
Chin said by having Jugah back, it will help PRS to secure the Lubok Antu seat.
Otherwise, they might lose the seat to other component parties, especially if they do not have any capable and winnable candidate that can beat Jugah, he said.
“As for the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman – he does not have to do anything now.”
“Even if Jugah manages to return to PRS, Abang Johari can decide not to nominate him to contest in Lubok Antu – if the Premier views him (Jugah) as a political frog,” he added.
PRS secretary-general Dato Janang Bungsu has confirmed the party had received Jugah’s application last month. However, he said, Jugah has to re-submit his application to join PRS through the divisional level before the party decides in their next Supreme Council Meeting.
In GE14 in 2018, Jugah contested as an Independent candidate won the Lubok Antu Parliament after garnering 5,834 votes defeating Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Robert Pasang Alam who received 4,775 votes and PKR candidate Nichoilas Bawin Anggat who got 3,942 votes.
On May 12, 2018, Jugah announced his intention to join PKR, but on 5 June 2020, he quit the party because he was disappointed with the internal problems that plagued Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He then expressed support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the time.
He also expressed support for the GPS led by Abang Johari because the Lubok Antu parliamentary constituency which is located in the rural areas needs government assistance for development.
