By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 31: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) deputy president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum will assume the post of acting president for the party following the passing of its president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing this morning.
Salang when contacted said he will lead the party in the upcoming Sarawak Election before passing on the baton to a president decided by the party in its Triennial Delegates’ Conference (TDC) which will be held after the election.
“Following his passing, I will resume the duty of party leadership. I will have to do what he would have expected me to do. With my age, I will not lead the party for long. In the meanwhile, we will have to cover duties for him.
“I will be in an acting capacity. We will have our TDC after the Sarawak Election to decide on the party presidency,” said Salang.
On Baleh seat, Salang said a discussion will be held to decide who would replace Masing’s candidacy in the constituency in the upcoming Sarawak Election.
“We will discuss among ourselves. We will have to talk with Puan Sri (Corinne Masing) to understand his (Masing’s) last words and try to comply and accommodate his last wishes,” said Salang who was formerly Julau MP.
Salang expressed sorrow for the passing of his president and commented that since God loves the latter more, the party had to let go.
“On behalf of the party, I want to thank the medical personnel who had been taking care of him, the Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg), Deputy Chief Minister (Datuk Amar Douglas) Uggah (Embas), all those who were concerned and were trying their best to see that he could recover,” said Salang.
Masing who was Deputy Chief Minister passed away at 7.05am this morning at Normah Sarawak Medical Centre due to complications of Covid 19.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development tested positive for Covid 19 on Sept 28. — DayakDaily
