by Conny Banji
READY FOR ACTION: Masing (third left) presents a PRS flag to the party’s division head to symbolise its readiness to face the coming general election.
SIBU: PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing said Meluan assemblyman Wong Judat should be deemed to be no longer with the Barisan Nasional (BN) if he contests in Julau in the 13th General Election.
He said they could not stop Wong from contesting because he is from a fellow BN component party SPDP, and it was his prerogative to contest.
“We hope SPDP can settle the problem with its assemblyman Wong Judat who wants to contest against incumbent Datuk Joseph Salang, who is also the Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture.
“But as soon as he (Wong) signs the nomination paper to contest against Salang, it means he has left BN,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Earlier, he officiated at a dialogue session with almost 200 leaders and members from six PRS divisions in Julau, Kanowit and Selangau Parliamentary constituencies.
He said the function was to get feedback from the ground on issues and weaknesses of the party that could jeopardise its chances to retain its seats in the election.
It was the second series of such meetings. The first was held recently for Sri Aman and Lubok Antu, he said.
Masing, who is also Land Development Minister, said Wong and Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) were the two main problems in Julau.
Wong had said a couple of times already that he would contest in Julau if BN fielded Julau MP Salang again.
On Selangau, Masing said he was not worried about the threats posed by SWP to its MP Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, who is PRS deputy president.
“We may have problems and weaknesses in Julau and Selangau, but we will overcome them based on feedback from the ground.”
Masing added that PRS would also succeed in Hulu Rajang despite fielding a new face. PRS has nominated his private secretary Wilson Ugak Kumbong to replace five-term MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo.
He said Ugak might be a “new face” but he is no political greenhorn as he had been moving around Hulu Rajang for the past 20 years.
“He was political secretary to the Chief Minister for 15 years, and his wife is from the Orang Ulu community. He has served as my director of operations in state elections for seven times and another five for Datuk Billy in parliamentary elections.
“We wish to thank Billy for his contributions and services to the party. But like anything else, the time has come for him to go.”
Masing said overall he was very confident that PRS would be able to retain all its six parliamentary seats based on feedback from the ground.”
He said for a problem-free party like PRS, its nominations must be respected by the top BN leaders.
“If it is split, then we have problems. But the party is as solid as it can be.”
On a similar matter, he said the greater devil to PRS was actually PKR, which he described as being a more organised party than SWP.
“We must be wary of PKR. They are more organised, while SWP’s strength lies with its prime mover and veteran politician Datuk Sng Chee Hua.
“Sng is a colourful character and well known to Sarawakians. If he is well regarded, then SWP will be strong. If not, it will be to BN’s advantage.”
Also present were PRS secretary general Datuk Wilfred Rata Nissom, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent, political secretaries to the chief minister Wilson Nyabong and Angelin Umis and Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh.
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