KUCHING, May 16: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) says the lack of cohesiveness among Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties was one of the major reasons that led to the party losing three seats in the May 9 general election.
Its president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the party is still in the midst of compiling the details including voting patterns, to find out the reasons leading to it losing three constituencies with marginal votes.
“I have the details of each of them (the constituencies), but I want to compile it first and find out what are the reasons.
“But in short, one (reason) right now, is the lack of cohesiveness among BN parties. And that is why PRS lost in some areas, very marginal,” said Masing at a press conference after the party’s supreme council meeting at its headquarters here today.
PRS contested in six seats but lost in Lubok Antu, Julau and Selangau.
In Lubok Antu, PRS’ new candidate Robert Pasang Alam lost by 1,059 votes to independent Jugah Muyang while in Julau, incumbent MP Datuk Joseph Salang lost to another independent Larry Sng by 1,931 votes and another new PRS candidate Rita Insol lost to state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian by only 486 votes.
Masing said the sacking of five of its supreme council leaders including Selangau incumbent Datuk Joseph Entulu a week before polling was not a major factor.
“It had some effect, but not substantial. It is the lack of cohesiveness among us…. The sacking contributed very little to the loss of the party in the election,” said Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister.
He said what PRS learnt from this election was that unity is of utmost importance.
“Be together. If we are a member of a group, act as one. We need to learn now. PRS boys are very honest with themselves, when people ask for help, they will help. The other parties, I do not know,” said Masing. — DayakDaily
