SIBU, Nov 18: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has submitted three names as possible candidates to contest in Baleh to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to select from for the coming 12th Sarawak State Election.
The seat fell vacant following the demise of PRS president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing on October 31.
Speaking to reporters after presenting RM2.6 million in financial assistance to 23 Catholic mission schools in the division today, PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan said that the party was leaving it to the wisdom of the Chief Minister to pick the candidate.
“The CM will decide, agree and endorse it as in this election we will be using the logo of GPS and not ours so he wants to ensure that GPS win all seats,” he said.
Snowdan hoped that whoever is not chosen will give their fullest support to the selected candidate.
Answering a question, he said PRS was confident of retaining the seat as it was a party stronghold thanks to Masing.
“I think there is no problem for us to retain the seat as the people want to continue his legacy. I also feel that people are sympathetic concerning his demise and will continue to support us for continuous development,” he said.
On the Ngemah seat, he said a new face might be fielded if results from the previous two State elections are anything to go by.
The incumbent for the seat is Alexander Vincent.
“In the 2006 election, he contested but lost. In the 2011 election he won by a majority of 990 votes but five years later in the 2016 election, his majority dropped to 154 in a four-corner fight. If it was a straight fight then, he would have lost. We are not say he cannot win again this time but we are a bit worried as we want to win the seat,” he said.
Snowdan said the party has submitted two names for Ngemah which includes the incumbent to the Chief Minister to decide. — DayakDaily
