By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 19: Newly-elected Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai has outlined his focus on strengthening unity in the party and pushing for rural development to improve infrastructure and household income.
Following the conclusion of PRS’ 6th Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) today, he said the party will now shift its focus to champion rural development as most of its elected representatives serve in rural constituencies.
“As you know, PRS is a rural-based party in a way because most of the YBs are from rural areas. The expectation of the rural people is very high for the YBs to work.
“We have a long way to go, especially in the development for the rural areas,” he told reporters after the official announcement on the party’s new line-up for the 2025-2028 term at Riverside Majestic Hotel here this evening.
Sikie said the party will work closely with the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and other Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties–Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP)–to bring more development to the interior.
“Our Premier has a vision to make sure Sarawak will be a developed country by 2030, or the latest by 2035. Thus, we follow the vision of the State and the vision of GPS,” he said.
On rural priorities, Sikie said improvements are needed in basic infrastructure, including roads, electricity and internet access.
“If you look at the schools, a lot of our schools in the rural areas are in dilapidated state. We hope that the government will look into it,” he elaborated.
He added that PRS will also focus on raising rural income through agriculture and land development.
“The Premier always says our household income by 2030 should be at least RM15,000 per family. But now, not many rural families have reached that.
“We will try to improve their livelihood through agriculture and land development, and I’m sure we can achieve that,” he asserted.
Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman and Minister in the Premier’s Department, is understood to have defeated Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang in a straight fight for the presidency earlier today.
Based on preliminary figures, Sikie won 186 votes against Nyabong’s 154, from 341 ballots cast with one spoiled.
The 75-year-old becomes the third president of PRS after the founding president, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, and outgoing president Dato Sri Joseph Salang Gandum.
With his victory, Sikie also makes history as the first president to be elected through a contest in the party’s history. Salang took over the presidency following Masing’s passing in 2021 and continued to lead PRS through the Covid-19 period.
PRS’ new lineup for the 2025–2028 term can be read here. — DayakDaily
