By Natasha Jee and Alexandra Lorna
KUCHING: Minister in the Premier’s Department and Kakus assemblyman Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai has been elected as the new president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).
The announcement was made on the final day of the party’s Sixth Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC), held at a hotel here on Sunday.
Sikie, 75, secured the presidency after defeating Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang with a majority of 32 votes, securing 186 votes compared to Wilson’s 154.
A total of 341 ballots were cast during the party election, with one vote declared spoiled.
Sikie succeeds Datuk Seri Joseph Salang Gandum, who chose not to seek re-election. Salang assumed the party’s top post following the passing of PRS founding President Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing in 2021.
The veteran politician, previously the party’s senior vice-president, is now the third president of PRS and will lead the party for the 2025-2028 term.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development and Samalaju assemblyman Datuk Majang Renggi was earlier elected unopposed as the deputy president, after Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan withdrew from the contest.
The election also saw seven candidates vying for the five vice-president posts, including incumbents, Kanowit MP Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang, and Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang.
The new contenders were Lubok Antu MP Roy Angau Gingkoi, Baleh assemblyman Nicholas Kudi Jantai, and Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol.
Ugak received the highest number of votes with 222 and was later elected senior vice-president.
Re-elected vice-presidents were Liwan and Mong who both secured 194 votes, and Aaron with 152 votes.
The new face in the line-up is Rita, who garnered 163 votes.
Sri Aman MP Datuk Seri Sophia Brodie retained her post as PRS Women’s chief unopposed, while Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang was elected as the new Youth’s chief. Both are automatically vice-presidents.
The TDC, held in conjunction with PRS’ 21st anniversary celebration, also saw the election of 15 ordinary Supreme Council members for the 2025-2028 term, contested by 33 candidates.
They are Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, Susan Clement Ingun, Hemang Yu Abit, Alexander Donald, Charles Chad Nissom, Pandang Semat, Thomas Balan Bang, Rosaline Neging, Anyi Jana, Andy Lawrence, Datuk Peter Nyomek Ingun, Datuk Azizi Morni, Mathew Egoh Lingkong, Datuk Janang Bunsu and David Upe.
Jetli Jelian was appointed as the permanent chairman, while Andrew Kalom was appointed as the alternate permanent chairman.
The posts of secretary-general, deputy secretary-general, treasurer-general, deputy treasurer-general, information chief and deputy information chief will be appointed and announced at a later date.
