Pelagus rep Wilson Nyabong Ijang announces candidacy for PRS president
KUCHING (Aug 12): Wilson Nyabong Ijang has announced he will contest for the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) presidency during the Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) slated for October.
The Pelagus assemblyman and PRS supreme council member is the first to openly state his intentions to contest for the party's top post.
Nyabong said his decision follows strong encouragement from fellow supreme council members as well as grassroots members across the state.
According to PRS' constitution, a member needs to have the nomination of at least 13 divisions to be eligible to contest for president.
'I am prepared to take on this responsibility with full humility and commitment. Whenever I go to the ground, I make it a point to meet and spend time with party grassroots or PRS members on the ground as they are my source of strength,' he said in a statement today.
Nyabong pledged to continue and improve on the political agenda set by party founding president the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, to ensure his legacy lives on and to bring PRS to greater heights.
According to him, having worked closely with Masing from the early days of PRS' formation, he understands the party's strengths, challenges, and potential.
'The PRS Supreme Council's decision on Aug 10 is another example of the party's political maturity and commitment to transparency. Since its inception, PRS has practised open elections at every TDC, respecting the voices of leaders at all levels, including the grassroots,' he said.
Nyabong said the coming party election would be conducted in the spirit of unity and camaraderie, stressing the importance of remaining united, closing ranks, and moving forward together after the polls.
'If given the mandate, I will uphold the founder's vision of prioritising party unity, strengthening ties with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties, and defending the rights of Sarawakians, especially the Dayak community,' he said.
He called upon all PRS members to unite and continue the political struggle inspired by the party's founder, adding that with unity and determination, PRS would remain relevant, strong, and a leading political platform for the people of Sarawak.
Nyabong had been with the late Masing since 1983 during their time in Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).
The two-term state assemblyman was a political secretary to the Chief Minister for six and half years before becoming an elected representative.
He could square off with current PRS president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, who was formerly a federal deputy minister and Julau MP.
At its Aug 10 supreme council meeting, PRS decided that all its top office bearers should defend their respective positions in the upcoming elections at the TDC on Oct 18-19 here.
However, PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan has declared that he would not defend his post, sparking speculation he might contest a higher party post. lead PRS president Wilson Nyabong Ijang
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