By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Aug 18: Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh is the first incumbent assemblyman renominated by PRS to defend the 11 state seats held by the party.
In Mussen’s case, he will be defending Batang Ai in the coming state election.
The announcement was made by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing at a gathering in Batang Ai today.
“Mussen has been a very dedicate YB (elected representative) and has made better, the livelihood of people of Batang Ai. So he will be re-nominated to stand by the party. So, I hoped the voters of Batang Ai will stand by him,” said Masing at the presentation of appointment letters and certificates to community leaders at Lubok Antu Sports Complex today.
He also advised local residents to stand by GPS in the coming state election as it has been able to fulfil its promises.
“The opposition can only promise, but GPS will deliver,” emphasised Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister.
Mussen first contested the seat in a by-election in 2009 following the demise of Datuk Dublin Unting.
He won the by-election and the subsequent Sarawak state elections held in 2001 and in 2016.
Currently, Mussen, who is also the PRS treasurer-general, is the Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industry Terminal and Entrepreneur Development.
On a separate issue, Masing advised Lubok Antu MP Jugah Muyang to join the party as he has pledged his support to both GPS at the state level and Perikatan Nasional at the federal level.
“I want to make it clear that PRS will only nominate those who are members of PRS to stand in Lubok Antu comes GE15 (15th general election).
“If the current YB of Lubok Antu, YB Jugah Muyang, wants to be re-nominated to contest in Lubok Antu on a PRS ticket for GE15, he has to be a member of PRS. Lubok Antu is PRS’ seat. It’s ours. We will not give it up,” Masing asserted.
Meanwhile, Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development congratulated Mussen on his Datukship award and also his recent conferment for getting his PhD.
“That (Datukship) award is meant to increase his responsibilities, not to decrease his works to the people of Batang Ai.
“Similarly, I have nominated the YBs from the area for Datukship so that they become more responsible to the people and government of the day. Unfortunately some, however, didn’t reciprocate the kindness but instead, went against the hands which fed them,” Masing added, without elaborating.
Among those present were other senior PRS leaders including its deputy president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Women’s Chief Datuk Seri Doris Bordie, Youth Chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan, PRS vice-presidents Datuk John Sikie Tayai and Datuk Mong Dagang, and Simanggang assemblyman Datuk Francis Hardin. — DayakDaily
