Don’t hit below the belt – Salang
SIBU: Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum remains unperturbed as far as the next parliamentary election is concerned, despite the emergence of a candidate lobbying to be nominated for the seat.
However, Salang cautions the candidate against making wild accusations or telling lies aimed at discrediting the opponent in order to promote himself.
“Do not resort to hitting the opponent below the belt. It (lobbying) should be about convincing the voters of your virtues, telling them why you would make the best candidate,” he spoke at a ‘meet-the-people’ session in Rumah Gundai Kat in Tubai Buah Ulu, Pakan yesterday.
It appeared that Salang was commenting on the interest shown by a Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) supreme council member Nyempah Sabot, who is also a Julau native, to contest in Julau in the polls. Nyempah, an engineer in the oil and gas industry, has begun lobbying for support from the chieftains of over 500 longhouses in the area.
Nyempah has been long tipped to be Salang’s successor.
Additionally, former Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng from Kapit is also eyeing the predominantly-Iban constituency – the majority (98 per cent) of the electorate are from this community. Larry, who is assisted by his father Datuk Sng Chee Hua – the former Julau MP – has been quite active on the ground, drumming support for his mission.
On this, Salang remarked: “I cannot stop people from contesting – it is a part of our democratic practices. Still, they should never cause the people to split, to be hostile toward one another, or for them to succumb to money politics.”
Clarifying further, Salang – also PRS secretary-general – said although he had been renominated to defend Julau, this would not be finalised up till the nomination day itself.
“Anything can happen – you may get selected as the candidate. So do not antagonise anyone, especially my supporters and workers. They could be most tempted to reject you when the time comes,” he said, pointing out that he too would be ‘most reluctant to help’ when others had been spreading discrediting lies about him.
On the proposed challenge posed by Nyempah, Salang said he should have been more patient.
“I certainly have not gone renegade as far as my promise for him to replace me upon my retirement, is concerned.
“I have not retired. Even PRS president (Deputy Chief Minister) Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing himself had, during four public and party functions, declared that he wanted me to continue serving (for) another term,” Salang added.
He also said as the Pakan PRS deputy chairman, Nyempah should have supported him fully.
“Yet, he chooses to be indifferent and had even tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to undermine me and others in the PRS election during the last TDC (triennial delegates conference) in Bintulu.”
Salang stressed that Nyempah should have continued joining him, while introducing himself to the grassroots on the ground towards building a secure and solid foundation.
On Larry’s argument that he was there to replace Salang with ‘blessings’ from certain Barisan Nasional (BN) top leaders, Salang said this was certainly news to him and also the PRS.
“Maybe Larry should talk to Tan Sri Masing. It is public knowledge that both father and son (Sng Chee Hua and Larry) were sacked from PRS a few years ago for insubordination.”
Salang said with Julau being a predominantly-Iban rural parliamentary constituency, it was ‘strange’ that a nonIban would think that he would be the best person to represent it.
“We have many graduates and professionals around – Larry Sng is a complete outsider,” stressed Salang.
On Larry’s promise that he would set up the ‘Larry Sng Education Foundation’ to help needy students to pursue higher education, Salang said he had been quietly giving incentives to outstanding local students in Julau constituency since his election as MP more than 18 years ago.
According to Salang, he is often approached for financial aid to cover the initial expenses for students selected for tertiary studies.
Larry had set up his foundation when he was Pelagus assemblyman.
At the session in Rumah Gundai later, Salang received over 50 applications from the longhouse folk wishing to join PRS.
Do not to resort to hitting the opponent below the belt. It (lobbying) should be about convincing the voters of your virtues, telling them why you would make the best candidate. — Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Julau MP