KUCHING: Acting president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum and vice-president Datuk John Sikie Tayai will battle it out for the president post at Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) in Sibu.
According to information chief Christopher Gira on Wednesday (April 20), the names of the candidates had been sent to the PRS headquarters after the nomination period for all positions closed on April 17.
“Though, it is up to the evaluation committee to decide whether or not there is a need to contest for the president post,” said the Tamin assemblyman.
Gira noted that the PRS Supreme Council had decided before this that there was no need to contest for the party leadership.
“Yet, a group led by Sikie said that they wanted to have a contest for the president post. That is why the decision is in the hands of the evaluation committee, to contest or not.”
After Tan Sri James Jemut Masing passed away last year, Salang, then a vice-president and former Julau MP, took over as acting president. Sikie is Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department and Kakus assemblyman.
“There will be a straight fight for the deputy president post between Samalaju assemblyman Majang Renggie and Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong.
“There is no contest for the PRS Women chief post as the only name sent in was Datuk Doris Brodie.”
Apart from that, Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan looks set to remain as PRS Youth chief as no other names were submitted.
Gira could not confirm whether or not Murum assemblyman Chupkai Ugom would contest for the post.
Nyabong, when contacted by a news portal, confirmed that he would be contesting for the PRS deputy president post. He said he had held a meeting with delegates to lobby for support.
The TDC will take place from April 21 to 24.
