COME October, all eyes will turn to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) as it holds its Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) – a pivotal event that could reshape not only the party’s internal leadership but also its future role in Sarawak’s ever-evolving political landscape.
In a bold and somewhat rare move, the party has announced that all top positions – including the presidency – will be open for contest.
On paper, this signals a commitment to democratic renewal and a willingness to embrace leadership transition. But on the ground, the mood is noticeably muted. So far, no one – not even the party’s senior figures – has publicly declared an intention to contest the top post. The silence is deafening.
“Nadai kala didinga kukok,” a Dayak-Iban phrase loosely translated as never being heard crowing, was the immediate reaction of Datuk Prof. Dr Jayum Jawan, Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, when asked about possible contenders for the PRS presidency. His metaphor, steeped in Dayak wisdom, speaks volumes – a scene where everyone awaits the crow of the rooster, the signal of a new dawn, yet all remains still.
For a party that once roared with clarity and confidence under its founding president, the late Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, today’s atmosphere of hesitation is striking. The current president, Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, a veteran politician, assumed leadership after Masing’s passing in 2021. Since then, Salang has steered the party steadily within the GPS ruling coalition.
However, there’s talk that his tenure is seen as transitional – a stabilising phase while the party figures out its next generational leader. Whether Salang will defend his presidency at the upcoming TDC remains unclear.
This uncertainty seems to extend to the rest of the leadership as well. Party insiders confirm that a few individuals are indeed eyeing the top job. Some are current supreme council members; others are elected representatives with solid grassroots backing. Yet none have stepped forward publicly. Their ambitions remain cloaked in whispers.
So, why the silence?
One explanation could be cultural. In Sarawak’s Dayak political tradition, ambition is rarely flaunted. Deference to seniority and a preference for quiet consensus often take precedence over open competition. Declaring one’s intent to challenge a sitting president – especially without blessings from party elders – can be seen as disrespectful or premature.
Another factor is strategic. Going public too soon can expose a candidate to backlash, isolation, or sabotage. Most prefer to wait – for the right moment, the right signal, or the right internal alignment. But in waiting too long, they may miss the window altogether.
Then there’s the political reality. To mount a credible challenge, one needs more than ambition. A challenger must inspire – and offer a compelling vision for PRS in the post-Masing era. Stability alone is no longer enough. The younger electorate wants relevance, authenticity, and conviction. So far, no one has stepped up to meet that mark.
This leadership vacuum is worrying. PRS is not just any party. It was born in 2004 from the ashes of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) and quickly became the dominant voice for Dayak political representation.
Under Masing, the party grew in influence and stature. As part of the state government – first under Barisan Nasional, and now under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) – PRS held key ministerial portfolios and played a major role in rural development. Masing himself served as a deputy chief minister before his passing.
But times have changed. The political terrain after GE15 is more fluid than ever. New players have emerged. Voter expectations have evolved. The youth are demanding substance, not ceremony. And the Dayak community is beginning to ask: Is PRS still championing our interests – or has it become a relic of old politics?
PRS cannot afford to drift. A party born out of a leadership crisis should not be lulled into complacency. Opening all positions for contest should be more than symbolic – it should be the spark for real renewal.
To be fair, the party’s decision to allow open contests is a step in the right direction. It reflects an understanding that change is necessary. But without willing contenders, this openness may end up being more illusion than action. If no one steps up, what exactly is being contested?
Some may argue that leadership cannot be forced – that the right leader will emerge in due time. But history tells us otherwise. Leadership does not appear out of thin air. It is claimed. It is earned – often through discomfort, courage, and conviction. Silence may be safe, but it rarely inspires.
In politics, especially within a coalition like GPS, relevance is everything. Parties that fail to project strong leadership risk fading into irrelevance. PRS must now ask itself: What role does it want to play in Sarawak’s next political chapter?
The clock is ticking. The upcoming TDC will be more than just a routine gathering. It will be a litmus test of the party’s readiness to evolve, to listen to its grassroots, and to lead in a changing world.
If no credible challengers emerge, PRS risks sending the wrong message – that it’s either content with the status quo, or worse, unsure of what it truly stands for.
As the Dayak saying goes, the cock must crow before dawn can break. For PRS, that dawn is long overdue. Someone must rise, speak, and lead.
The time to crow is now. The question is, who will be the one to crow?
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at drnagrace@gmail.com.
