KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) secretary-general Datuk Janang Bungsu has suggested that the party negotiate for more seats in the next state election than its current 11.
“We are not weak, we are getting stronger,” he said during a PRS pre-Christmas and thanksgiving dinner here on Thursday.
He urged PRS members to strategise their move, especially in preparation for the next state election.
“Things have changed. The way people campaign and the way in which they connect with the grassroots has changed,” Janang said.
He pointed out that what occurred in May last year had resulted in many challenges facing PRS. During the 14th general election (GE14) in May last year, PRS lost in three parliamentary seats out of six it contested in.
“PRS is still alive and kicking,” he emphasised, describing it as a ‘process of pruning’ that PRS went through.
He said that members who remained were loyal to the party and continued to be united in support of PRS.
Janang said that those who did not agree with the party were not in PRS anymore, and he urged party members to give their full commitment towards ensuring that PRS could impact the people’s lives.
“Nothing comes easy. The year 2020 will be full of challenges and we have to strive even harder if we want to be the best.
“I believe that if we continue to show this comradeship among ourselves, this party will grow stronger in the years to come,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who is also PRS president, told the diners that two elements of Jesus Christ’s teaching — love and forgiveness — were the basic fundamentals that any good politician must acquire and put into practice as they served their constituents.
He said that most politicians found it hard to follow these two elements.
“When we are subjected to criticisms, day after day, it is difficult for us to turn our other cheek to be slapped as Jesus Christ had told us to do,” he said.
He said that when criticised, the human instinct would be to fight back.
“But in order not to anger our voters, we must keep our human instinct under control in order to win the next election.”
Masing emphasised forgiveness, saying, “In order to keep our party intact and hopefully grow, we forgive those who have done us wrong.”
Also present were PRS deputy president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, vice presidents Datuk Liwan Lagang, Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Majang Renggi, Datuk Mong Dagang, Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Brodie and information chief Datuk Wilfred Nissom.
