Salang confirmed as PRS president after challenger decides against contest

Salang (right) and Sikie at the press conference to announce PRS' consensus line-up.

KUCHING: There will be no contest for the vacant president's position in Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) following Tan Sri James Masing's death last year, after party leaders agreed on a consensus line-up to avert a potential leadership tussle.

PRS secretary-general Datuk Janang Bungsu said the consensus was reached "after a great deal of personal sacrifice" by acting president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum and his potential challenger Datuk John Sikie Tayai.

As a result, there will be no election for posts at PRS' triennial delegates conference (TDC) in Sibu this weekend.

"Sikie has displayed admirable statesmanship by graciously offering to accept a lower position in the consensus line-up despite having received many nominations for the position of party president.

"Salang, on his part, has agreed to be retained in the presidency to preserve balance in the party," Janang told a press conference on Thursday (April 21).

Sikie is a state minister in the Sarawak Premier's Office while Salang, who has held several federal deputy minister posts, currently has no government post.

His announcement came after PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan said on Wednesday (April 20) night that Salang, who is a former Julau MP, would succeed Masing as party president after Sikie decided not to proceed with his challenge.

Snowdan was reported saying that Sikie would remain one of the party's four vice-presidents while Samalaju assemblyman Datuk Majang Renggi would be the new deputy president.

He also said he would retain the position of Youth chief after Murum assemblyman Chukpai Ugon withdrew his candidacy, while Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie would be returned unopposed as Women's chief.

Janang said the consensus line-up was agreed to by PRS' supreme council members in the interest of the party's unity and solidarity.

"The leadership of PRS is conscious of the damaging effects on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) if they do not manage conflict in the party.

"At stake is the public image of PRS as well as the image of Dayak political leadership, which can be damaged if we fail to manage the crisis in the party," he said.

PRS is one of four component parties of the ruling GPS state coalition.

Meanwhile, GPS secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi welcomed the announcement that there would be no tussle for the PRS presidency.

He said this would allow the party's leaders and members to work things out and focus more on the people.

"As a Dayak myself, I don't want to see factions and conflict among Dayak leaders, especially PRS which is a part of GPS.

"Going forward, I hope PRS will continue to uphold the unity among its members and work in harmony to support the betterment of the Dayak community," he said in a statement.

Nanta added that PRS played an important role within GPS to maintain a stable state government.

"Hence, we need them to focus on their responsibility as representatives of the people.

"By avoiding intense competition, I am sure PRS will be able to ensure harmony and unity rather than causing conflict," he said.