By Ling Hui and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 11: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum has apologised to Sarawak Premier-cum-Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for failing to wrest back Julau in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Salang expressed regret to have lost the fight among the six GPS top brass, including Abang Johari himself, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
Abang Johari, Uggah, Awang Tengah, Dr Sim, and Tiong defended Gedong, Bukit Saban, Bukit Sari, Batu Kawah, and Dudong, respectively, for GPS in the last 12th Sarawak Election (PRN12), while Tiong also defended his Bintulu seat in GE15.
“I’m sorry, YAB Premier, I lost among the six of us. But anyway, the others won with the help of all our component party members,” said Salang during GPS’ GE15 appreciation dinner held tonight.
Meanwhile, Salang thanked Abang Johari for agreeing to the unity government’s formation, which does not promote extreme religious practices.
Salang also took the opportunity to thank all GPS members and election machinery for their effort to ensure GPS’ win in GE15.
In the last general election, Salang clashed swords with Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Datuk Larry Sng and the latter retained Julau with a majority of 1,340 votes. — DayakDaily
