KUCHING, March 5 — Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said he is open to the possibility of becoming Sarawak’s deputy chief minister, if the job is offered to him.

He said it could be after the 2016 state election that Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem would consider reshuffling the state cabinet and maybe appoint one or two deputies, but pointed out that if that should happen, the appointment would be influenced mostly by the candidates’ electoral performance.

“The cabinet position is the prerogative of the Chief Minister. However in politics the placement of cabinet posts would very much be influenced by the electoral performance.

“I must say PRS did very well both at state and federal level,” said Masing.

When asked if he would accept the appointment of becoming a deputy chief minister: “If I’m still around why not.”

Earlier this week, Adenan told reporters that the state government had been contemplating to appoint more deputy chief ministers in addition to Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.

Although it would not be very soon, Adenan said he would announce it “at the right time and the right place”.

Political analyst from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Dr Jeniri Amir said the cabinet reshuffle would most likely be carried out after the state election.

He said Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg might be appointed as the second deputy chief minister as he was among the state’s most senior politicians.

The third deputy chief minister post would be given to PRS as it had performed very well during the last state and general elections, he added.

“Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) has been losing support from the Chinese community. PRS has outperformed SUPP in terms of electoral performance,” said Dr Jeniri.