By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, March 12: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing has rubbished rumours that former vice-president Masir Kujat quit the party because its Women’s chief, Dato Sri Doris Brodie, has been identified as his (Masing) successor.
Emphasising that there was no truth to it, Masing said the party had yet to talk about the succession issue.
“Our party leaders have not come together to talk and discuss about a succession plan, not to mention about identifying Doris to be the next president.
“And also, it is not yet time to call for such a decision to be made. We wait until the next state election. Perhaps by then, PRS has to look into the issue. As of now, the question of succession does not arise,” Masing told DayakDaily.
He was responding to recent rumours that Masir, who is also Sri Aman MP, left the party in protest of Masing’s decision to pick Doris as his successor.
On the reason behind Masir jumping ship to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Masing said he had no idea and it also came as a shock to him.
“Before GE14 (14th General Election last year), he told me he wanted to retire and that it would be his last term.
“So, I had even decided that if he won, he would continue to be appointed as deputy minister so that he would not only retire as an MP but as a deputy minister, where he would retire with adequate resources.
“But then, Barisan Nasional lost. So, there was no deputy ministerial appointment for him. It seems now that he has his own plan,” said Masing.
Masir dropped a bombshell on March 7 that he had resigned from PRS on March 6 and would be joining PSB, in a press statement.
His reason being that PSB is a truly multiracial party and could unite all races in Sarawak.
He said as a Dayak leader and MP, PSB was a party best placed to champion Dayak rights. — DayakDaily
