KUCHING, Nov 3 — Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum today explained that his comeback to contest in the 15th general election (GE15) is at the request of the voters in Julau and the party.
“Yes, I am making the comeback at their request and the party, and I am prepared to accept it after over years of a sabbatical holiday,” he told reporters after receiving his credential letter from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman and state Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
He said his main concern in Julau is the lack of improvement since his defeat in the 2018 general election.
He said Julau’s main problems are the poor water and electricity supply and roads.
Salang lost to Parti Bangsa Sarawak (PBM) president Datuk Larry Sng, then contesting as an Independent, in 2018.
He was elected PRS president earlier this year following the death of Tan Sri James Masing, the then deputy chief minister, in October last year.
Salang said he is happy with the party’s six candidates who will stand for election on the GPS logo.
“Our candidates are a mixture of experienced parliamentarians and fresh faces,” he said.
He said the party’s candidate for Sri Aman Datuk Sri Doris Sophia Brodie, though a new face contesting in this election, is an experienced parliamentarian.
“She was a two-term senator and a deputy president of the Dewan Negara before,” he said.
He said she is the only Dayak woman being nominated to contest in GE15 on a GPS ticket.
He said the GPS chairman has agreed to nominate all the candidates that PRS recommended.
