By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 22: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan today officially announced his intention to contest the party’s deputy president post in the upcoming 6th Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) scheduled for Oct 18-19 in Kuching.
Snowdan, who has helmed the Youth wing for three terms since 2016, said he will not defend the position, which he has held for nine years, to pave the way for leadership renewal.
“After much consideration and consultation with the grassroots, and to honour their advice, I have decided to humbly offer myself to contest for the deputy president post in this coming PRS TDC,” he told a press conference here today.
The PRS Supreme Council earlier endorsed an open contest for all leadership posts at the upcoming TDC, but Snowdan stressed that it will remain a “family open contest” within the party.
“It will only determine the hierarchy movement within the party. Some may move up, some may remain, while others give way to new faces. But come what may, it is meant for good.
“We will keep it as a family affair and keep our unity intact. That is our utmost undertaking and allegiance,” he stated.
When asked if there are others eyeing the deputy presidency, Snowdan said the incumbent Datuk Majang Renggi has yet to state whether he will defend the post.
Explaining his decision to seek the No. 2 post, the Balai Ringin assemblyman said it was driven by several factors including youth empowerment, grassroots support, party tradition and the need for rejuvenation.
“Capitalising on my background as Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports from 2017 until 2021 and now in the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), I foresee my contributions will be in dealing with the youth and the atmosphere surrounding their interests.
“Now our youth who attain the legal age of 18 will exercise their voting rights. My agenda will be to spread, groom and bring in youth into mainstream engagement in politics and nation-building.
“If elected as the deputy president, I should be able to render the necessary prerequisite to our youth for that role,” he explained.
He also acknowledged advice from party divisions and grassroots leaders, many of whom expressed the need for new leadership.
“Whoever the next president is after this TDC, I will continue to work closely with him for the greater good of the party and to further stay relevant.
“Furthermore, I have to consider sentiments from our Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) components—Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP)—and understand what they foresee ahead and expect, such as our party’s role and impact on rural politics,” he added.
On nominations, Snowdan, who sits on the PRS Credential Committee, revealed that the minimum requirement is 13 divisions for the president and eight divisions for the deputy president. The party currently has 38 accredited divisions.
Divisional annual general meetings (AGMs) will be held between Sept 3 and 17, after which nominations must reach PRS headquarters by Sept 26 before being verified by the Credential Committee on Sept 27.
Concluding, Snowdan appealed for support from divisions to back his candidacy.
“If I am elected, I pledge to make PRS more proactive, vibrant and to strengthen the party’s image for the good of our community and state,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
