KUCHING, Sept 7 — Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing was returned unopposed as president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) when nominations for party polls closed on August 31.
Masing was the only nomination in 35 out of 38 branches statewide, PRS secretary-general Datuk Wilfred Nissom said today as he announced the party’s triennial delegates conference in Bintulu from October 21 to 23.
However, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Joseph Entulu may have to defend his deputy presidency after Julau federal lawmaker Datuk Joseph Salang was also nominated to the post.
Nissom said a letter of offer will be sent to both Entulu and Salang by this week whether they will accept the nomination to contest for the post.
“If both of them accept, then we will see a contest for the post of deputy,” he told a press conference here.
Nissom said the party headquarters received 10 names for the five vice-president posts.
"This is where we can expect to see a keen fight based on the past delegates conferences," he said.
The five incumbent vice-presidents are Salang, Bukit Begunan state lawmaker Datuk Mong Dagang, Lubok Antu MP Datuk William Nyalau Badak, Samalaju assemblyman Majang Renggie and Kakus assemblyman Datuk John Sikie Tayai.
Nissom said the party headquarters has received 32 nominations to contest for the 15 seats of ordinary supreme council.
Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan was also the only nomination for Youth chief and will replace the incumbent Datuk Liwan Lagang as the latter who is also Belaga assemblyman, has declined to contest.
Datuk Doris Brodie Sophia, a former deputy president of the Senate, will also be retained as head of the party’s women’s wing.
