KUCHING: Former Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang is looking to make a comeback in the 15th General Election (GE15) following his defeat in 2018.
The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president was among the 31 candidates named by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for the upcoming polls.
"At the request of voters and the party, I am prepared to come back. After four years (since GE14), I don't think I can call it a retirement, it's more like a sabbatical," he told reporters after the candidate announcement by GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg here on Thursday (Nov 3).
Salang, who previously served four terms as Julau MP, lost in a straight fight to Independent candidate Datuk Larry Sng in the 2018 general election.
He is expected to face a rematch with Sng, who is now with Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), for the seat.
PRS is a component party of GPS, along with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Salang said he would focus on getting more development for Julau should he be elected.
He said the main concern in the constituency was a lack of utilities and telecommunications.
"The area has not improved much since the time I was defeated in 2018, so we have to catch up in a lot of aspects," he said.
Of PRS' six candidates, Salang said they were a good mix of experienced parliamentarians and fresh faces.
"Our Women's chief Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie is a two-term Senator and former deputy president of the Dewan Negara, so she is an experienced person despite contesting for the first time.
"We also have two fresh faces in Roy Gingkoi, a lawyer, and businessman Edwin Banta," he said.
Doris will be fielded in Sri Aman, Roy in Lubok Antu and Edwin in Selangau.
PRS' two incumbents Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and Datuk Ugak Kumbong will defend their seats in Kanowit and Hulu Rajang respectively.
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