KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum is the only party chief in the four-component ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition without any position to his name.
His lack of position, be it at state or federal level, is not lost on non-governmental organisations which have now come out in public to lobby for him.
It comes from Persatuan Terabai Menua (TM) and Persatuan Intelektual Pribumi Sarawak (Perantis), both of which, according to political scientist Prof Datuk Jayum Jawan are relatively small and unknowns NGOs.
The Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) academic said the call, while arguably justified, would have more political weight if it comes from the PRS top leadership itself.
“When such a call is made or comes from relatively small and unknown NGOs, it is seen as a political stunt,” he said.
“It would carry more weight if the PRS Supreme Council made such a call, which would prevent Salang from being perceived as self-motivated to seek a position for himself,” he added.
Speaking to the New Sarawak Tribune, Jayum cited Salang’s extensive political experience, which began in 1999, when he won in his first election and became the Member of Parliament for Julau as well as his roles as a deputy minister in several federal ministries.
“He was a prominent Dayak leader during the PBDS era and the rise of Dayakism in the mid-1980s; he has endured challenges for his community and country. It would be unfair to deny him recognition for these efforts,” he said.
Jayum also pointed out that Salang should not be compared to the former PRS president, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Masing, as such comparisons would be unjust to both leaders.
While he acknowledged Masing’s demonstrated leadership ability and respect from fellow party legislators, it was under Salang’s leadership that PRS successfully won all 11 state seats the party contested during the 12th Sarawak state election.
“Shouldn’t Salang earn more respect from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) partners and leadership for this achievement?” he questioned.
When asked about what position is appropriate to be given to Salang, Jayum said the PRS president can be a senator or even re-adjust his party’s representation in the federal government.
Meanwhile, political sociologist Prof Novel Lyndon also agreed that Salang should be given an important position in the government, to ensure the leader continues to be respected by party members.
“As the President of PRS, he must be afforded a government position to unite party members and control internal tensions. Without such a role, it is quite difficult for him to manage the party and translate the party’s agenda into policies, akin to a toothless tiger,” he said.
Salang, he said, definitely deserved some position to continue to contribute significantly be it at the state or federal level due to his extensive experience in politics and having successfully led the party to win seats in both state and general elections.
“However, it’s undeniable that a strong leader requires greater authority and position, either at the state or federal level,” Novel said.
Salang lost his Julau seat to Datuk Larry Sng, who was then an independent, in 2018. He failed to reclaim his seat from Sng in the 2022 general elections.
Nonetheless, under his leadership, PRS managed to secure all 11 seats the party contested in the state elections and five parliamentary seats in the last general elections.
