LIMBANG: A growing presence in the northern region has ignited Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) hopes of securing a state seat there in the event of a electoral boundary redelineation exercise.
Its Batu Danau chairman, David Upe, held out such hopes to the media after delivering a speech at a PRS dinner held at St Edmund Hall over the weekend.
“PRS is not well represented in the northern region, especially in Miri, Limbang, and Lawas, we have quite a substantial number of members and existing branches, including in Senadin, Pujut, Lambir, Bekenu, Marudi, Bukit Kota, and Batu Danau,” he said.
Upe said PRS’s strong collaboration with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties will ensure electoral success.
“As such, in the event the state seat redelineation exercise materialises, it is our fervent hope that a seat for us will be considered by the party headquarters.
“This is to reflect our presence in the northern region. We leave this for the party’s leadership to pursue,” he added.
The dinner, jointly organised by the PRS Batu Danau and Bukit Kota branches, was attended by 10 PRS assemblymen and a senator from the party.
PRS deputy president Datuk Majang Renggi, representing party president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, also addressed the gathering.
Upe also welcomed Salang’s recent announcement that all leadership positions, including the presidency, remain open for contest in the party’s upcoming election.
“We view this as a positive move that reflects good party democratic processes while we propel the party to move forward and remain relevant,” he said.
He endorsed PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan’s affirmation of the party’s commitment to fostering open contests within its leadership structure.
“This is a move that will encourage growth, rejuvenation, and democratic engagement in PRS.
“Again, we view this as something forward-moving, a struggle each party should entail whilst sustaining and keeping the party intact simultaneously,” he added.
Upe also urged PRS leaders to make more visits to members in the northern region, emphasising the importance of engagement with grassroots supporters.
