By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 20: Defying all negative predictions, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has wrested back the seats of P202 Sri Aman, P203 Lubok Antu and P214 Selangau and defended P210 Kanowit and P216 Hulu Rajang, losing only in P209 Julau in the 15th General Election (GE15) today.
It was a tough fight and a daunting task for all six candidates fielded by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component party throughout the 14-day campaign period, as many of them were facing experienced political rivals, as well as deep-rooted, influential and resourceful leaders in the various local communities which resided in their respective constituencies.
PRS turned in quite an improved result compared to its GE14 performance, where it lost half of the seats traditionally allocated to it to contest, retaining only Kanowit, Hulu Rajang and Sri Aman.
Of the six seats contested this time, Julau was the most fiercely fought over with two heavyweights in the form of presidents of different parties of equal calibre and strengths.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) candidate Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, who is also PRS president did not pull through. His most formidable opponent Datuk Larry Sng, who is president of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) remained be the people’s choice for a second term, leaving independent candidate Elly Lawai Ngalai and Susan George from Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) returning home emptyhanded.
Another federal seat which saw a close, heated battle was Sri Aman, where PRS’ only female candidate Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie had relentlessly hammered away day and night to take down three opponents—incumbent Datuk Masir Kujat who stood as an independent, Wilson Entabang from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Naga Nabau Tay of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
In Lubok Antu, young lawyer Roy Gingkoi who in this battle is not unlike the Biblical figure of David, put up a formidable fight to bring down two Goliaths — PSB’s Johnichal Rayong, who is also a four-term Engkilili assemblyman and Jugah Muyang, the Lubok Antu incumbent. An honorable mention goes to Langa Lias (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), whose supporters put up a decent fight.
PRS was also able to reclaim Selangau, its stronghold seat which fell into the hands of the Opposition in GE14 due to the party’s internal squabbles. Its young but experienced candidate Edwin Banta managed to stand out among two other new faces — Umpang Sabang of PKR and independent candidate Henry Joseph Usau — to return Selangau to PRS hands.
As for PRS in the two Central Region seats of Kanowit and Hulu Rajang, both its candidates Dato Aaron Ago Dagang and Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, as expected, defended the seats for the party.
For PRS to achieve such results, the support from fellow GPS component party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) was the main factor. Throughout the campaign period, GPS ministers, deputy ministers and assemblymen were seen on the ground, braving the hot weather and heavy rain to campaign for PRS.
GE15 was GPS’ first solo national outing since the State ruling coalition left Barisan Nasional in June 2018.
However, following the 2021 State Election where GPS showed its prowess and influence by securing 76 out of 82 seats contested, expectations were understandably high.
According to several reliable sources, GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had instructed all State lawmakers to assist GPS candidates from all component parties.
Stern warnings were issued, stating that any assemblymen who refused to assist will be offloaded come the next State Election.
This accounts for the active participation of all GPS ministers, deputy ministers and assemblymen, who were seen constantly on the move, from one constituency to another to campaign for GPS candidates.
Apart from the stern instruction from the top, the ‘Abang Johari factor’ was also one of the reasons why GPS managed to tackle this election with flying colours.
Abang Johari’s people-centric initiatives as Sarawak’s chief administrator offered a clear indication of his vision for the State to Sarawakians especially those in the rural areas where billions of ringgit were channeled into building much needed infrastructure in these areas.
Another major reason behind PRS’s strong performance is also due to the fact that the party has grown into a more mature party ever since the passing of its former president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing last year.
Instead of crumbling to pieces, the party’s leadership has shown impressive maturity during the 2021 State Election and its party election in early 2022 where they were not afraid to speak out their minds and leaders were willing to give way for the betterment of the party, even though the final decision made may be against their personal opinion.
For PRS to achieve such a result in GE15 comes as no surprise as they had already proven their mettle in the 2021 State Election. — DayaKDaily
