Latest news with #Jayum
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Gas deal signals new era of Putrajaya-Sarawak cooperation, says political scientist
Jayum says the move reflects an effort to address and reform long-standing federal-regional issues, particularly those enshrined in MA63. KUCHING (May 22): The agreement on Sarawak's gas distribution, reached between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, is a step in the right direction to reform relations between Putrajaya and Sarawak, said political scientist Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan. The Academy of Sciences Malaysia fellow said the move reflects an effort to address and reform long-standing federal-regional issues, particularly those enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'The loss of many of Sarawak's rights to its wealth was not the making of Abang Johari, and neither did it happen during Anwar Ibrahim's watch as Prime Minister. 'However, that Abang Johari and Anwar Ibrahim can sit down and come to terms to resolve some of the federal-regional issues shows high wisdom on the part of both the Premier and the Prime Minister,' he told The Borneo Post . Jayum was commenting on the joint declaration signed on Wednesday by Anwar and Abang Johari, which stated that all relevant federal and state laws governing gas distribution in Sarawak will coexist and be upheld by all parties involved. Jayum, who is also an adjunct professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia Institute of Borneo Studies, said this cooperative approach should be emulated by leaders at all levels of government to build a united Malaysia beyond the scope of MA63. The declaration also involved Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), with both entities affirming their roles under the agreement. 'Petronas will continue its functions, activities, responsibilities and obligations entrusted to it under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) and its regulations. 'All parties shall endeavor to continue working together to develop a framework that benefits the nation while taking into consideration Sarawak's aspirations,' it said. The agreement also confirmed the appointment of Petros as the gas aggregator for Sarawak.
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Open contests a must to endorse PRS leadership, says don
Jayum says Masing—PRS' founder and first president—had held open contests in every Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) since the party's establishment in 2004. KUCHING (May 9): Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) ought to emulate their former president, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, in subscribing to democratic principles by calling for open contests in the party, said Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan Empaling. The political scientist and Academy of Sciences Malaysia Fellow said Masing—PRS' founder and first president—had held open contests in every Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) since the party's establishment in 2004. 'Contests for positions in the party were held in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016. The only exception was in 2022 when, following Masing's demise, the supreme council decided to maintain the leadership status quo after reaching a compromise,' he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday. He was asked for his take on PRS' TDC scheduled to take place this October, with the party yet to announce whether open contests would be held. Jayum said should PRS decide in favour of holding open contests, the winners would not necessarily be the best or most qualified person, but rather the most popular or well-liked by the grassroots. 'It's also about respect, which equates to being well accepted across the grassroots. The late Masing had this. 'How else could he lead the party for almost two decades if not for his knowledge, experience, charisma and wisdom?' Jayum said Masing's only fault was not to have in place a clear succession plan, although he was said to have favoured one person among his inner circle whom he saw as having clear leadership potential among the many PRS lawmakers. 'Unfortunately, Masing himself expressed reservation on whether this person would be able to draw support from the many competing aspirants,' he claimed. In moving forward, Jayum said PRS has no choice but to hold open contests in the upcoming TDC to endorse its leadership. He suggested PRS hold open forums where aspiring candidates can present their visions and plans for the party. 'It is important for party members to assess the quality of candidates that they are going to elect,' he said. He stressed that reaching a compromise on the party's leadership, such as in 2022, would deny members their right to elect their leaders, including the president. 'Anyone involved in this move (compromise) is unworthy of being elected to any position in the party, let alone party president. Engineering a compromise is tantamount to sweeping problems under the carpet. 'This is not the way to resolve issues within the party, especially if the current PRS leaders want to strengthen the party and emerge from the shadow of the late Masing,' said Jayum. James Masing Jayum Jawan Empaling party election PRS TDC
Borneo Post
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PRS faces leadership vacuum ahead of crucial TDC, says political analyst
Jayum says that none of PRS' lawmakers — including those holding significant roles in the GPS and Madani governments — have managed to distinguish themselves as natural successors to lead the party. KUCHING (April 27): There is currently no clear frontrunner poised to assume the presidency of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) with ease, as the party gears up for its triennial delegates conference (TDC) slated for this October, said political scientist and Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan. He said that none of PRS' lawmakers — including those holding significant roles in the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Madani governments — have managed to distinguish themselves as natural successors to lead the party. 'They could be described by an Iban adage 'nadai kala didinga kukok' (never heard crowing) or 'enda ditemu pantuk' (unknown pecking strength). 'This goes on to confirm some earlier assertion that Masing's passing and his shoes were just too huge to fill, leaving a huge void,' he said in a statement. Jayum noted that the upcoming TDC will mark a major milestone for PRS, being the first full party election since the passing of founder and president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing in Oct 2021. 'This will be a significant milestone in PRS' history since the passing of its founder president, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing. 'It will be an important event for PRS moving beyond Masing's shadow as it will be the first time the party goes back to ask the grassroots whom they want to lead the party,' he said. Following Masing's death, the presidency was assumed by Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum through a compromise aimed at maintaining party unity. 'After Masing's passing in October 2021, Deputy President Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum took over the presidency in a compromise reached to preserve the party unity. 'Salang himself had transitioned to Deputy President after Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun was sacked following his decision to announce himself as candidate for Selangau in 2018. 'But many within the party also believed that he was sacked because he is eyeing the presidency. His sacking stopped that,' Jayum added. However, cracks remain within the party leadership, Jayum said, citing an insider source that divisions persist over whether the coming elections should be an open contest or another negotiated compromise to avoid internal splits. 'Although it has been reported that the party election is open, inside sources say that a compromise is still actively being pursued to prevent contest and fear division thereafter,' he said. Jayum also questioned what form such a compromise might take. 'Would it mean retaining the incumbent Salang? Could it also mean that a leader agreed to by factions within the party? If so, who could be that 'compromised' person agreed to by factions within the party to lead it? 'In either scenario, it is still a compromise to prevent clashes among various factions. The coveted presidency decides the fates of all lawmakers and their positions in government. 'Thus, the compromise is not on who will be agreed upon to lead but all lawmakers would be trying to safeguard their respective positions,' he said. He noted that the next Sarawak state election is on the horizon, making this leadership decision even more critical. 'The general elections to the Sarawak legislature is due in less than two years. The current term of the Assembly automatically ends after five years since its first meeting in February 2022. The elections were held in December 2021,' he said. On the possibility of a female president, Jayum acknowledged the results of a recent online poll that placed PRS Women's chief Dato Seri Doris Brodie ahead of others. However, he cautioned that the survey, based on general netizen sentiment, was not necessarily reflective of the views of actual party members. 'She had polled about 16 per cent, the highest, but the total votes was 88 out of about 500 netizen votes. That is not really convincing and not too much should be read into it,' he said. Comparing PRS with other GPS component parties, Jayum said that unlike Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), PRS had failed to groom a clear second-echelon leadership. 'Should Abang Johari or Professor Sim were to go for whatever reasons, there are choices to take over from them. And this, as PBB has clearly shown, is their well-organised party. 'When Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem passed, Abang Johari was already in the wing. There was not much contest, and he just glided into the presidency. Masing did not prepare any one to take over. 'However, he did have an individual in mind but he was, according to an inside source, uncertain whether 'that' person could get the endorsement of other important party leaders,' he said. Jayum stressed that the next PRS president must be a leader who can command authority both within the party and across GPS components. 'PRS needs a good and firm leader whose interest lies within the party to lead and bring PRS to the next level. His action must be motivated by party interest as he is equal to other party leaders and members and subjected only to his own party and by whose mandate the person leads. 'As PRS is a GPS component, he must be respected by other component leaders, and that his words are 'the authority' on who will represent PRS as GPS candidates in election and in government. 'Otherwise, the authority of the PRS president is undermined,' Jayum concluded.
