KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) is effectuating the necessary preparatory work to defend the now-vacant Baleh seat following the demise of its president and incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing.
PRS deputy president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum said the party was now selecting the most suitable candidate to field for the Baleh seat.
“When it comes to the final selection of candidates, it can be done at the last moment. We have some ideas on the names but we are not yet at liberty to announce them.
“So we have asked the division to hold a quick meeting and put up a proposal to us and in this case, one name is enough,” he said when fielding questions from reporters after chairing the PRS Supreme Council Meeting at PRS Headquarters here yesterday (Sunday).
Based on the party’s constitution, Joseph said he had no choice but to assume the leadership role played by the party’s president while it was still vacant.
He stressed that he was not assuming the position of party president nor standing in as the acting party president, but merely to shoulder the role and function of the president.
“PRS will hold its party election (to decide on the new president) once the state election has been held as previously decided,” he added.
Joseph also expressed his sorrow at Masing’s demise, adding that the late Deputy Chief Minister had made all the necessary preparations to face the state polls prior to falling ill.
“I and the rest of the party leadership including the supreme council share the sadness that we experience at the passing of our party president,” added Joseph.
