Take your hands off Samalaju, Masing tells Tiong

KUCHING: PRS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing has advised his ‘Merger of minds and hearts’ counterpart SPDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to let go of Samalaju as the constituency has been allocated to PRS.

As a BN component party, Masing said it is imperative that SPDP fight for its eight traditional seats as well as two additional new seats which are still unclaimed.

“As friends we should not fight for any seat. We should be a team to win as many seats as possible for the BN to continue to rule Sarawak under CM Adenan, after all we are all in his team,” Masing told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

He was commenting on Tiong’s insistence of wanting Samalaju in which Tiong claimed SPDP had some 5,000 to 6,000 members.

“The thing is that, we also have strong followers there (in Samalaju) and most importantly, we believe we can deliver it for the BN,” he said.

Masing, who is also Land Development Minister, said PRS secured both Samalaju and Murum because they staked their claims on the two new seats much earlier.

“It has been approved and given to us by the chief minister. So we can’t give Samalaju away to SPDP anymore. I hope Datuk Seri Tiong instead fight for the eight SPDP seats plus additional two new seats as mentioned by the chief minister,” said Masing.

Besides Murum and Samalaju, Masing said PRS would go for another seat if it is available and where the party can win, especially those in the Bidayuh areas.

PRS’ other seats are Balai Ringin, Bukit Begunan, Batang Ai, Ngemah, Pelagus, Baleh, Belaga, Tamin and Kakus.

However, Masing was silent when asked which seat he was eyeing as extra for PRS. But earlier reports suggested that he was referring to Mambong (formerly Bengoh) which is currently held by Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who is also deputy president of UPP.

On another issue, Masing said since DAP has admitted that the opposition will not be able to wrest Sarawak from BN, it would be better for DAP and other opposition parties to work together to fight for the state’s rights.

“BN under Adenan leadership is hard to beat. And DAP knows the political realities that it will be a fight to nowhere. If indeed, that is the case, then why waste time and resources to fight against each other.

“Wouldn’t it be more productive if we join hands and make a untied stand in protecting Sarawak’s rights. After all, who knows Sarawak better than us? If not Sarawakians protecting our rights, who else? If not now, when? Perhaps, politicians across the political divide should search deep into their hearts and souls on this matter and think of Sarawakians first, then self second,” stressed Masing.