PRS crisis a case of two tigers on one mountain, says analyst
KUCHING: The crisis gripping Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) is a consequence of too many leaders with strong characters who are not willing to compromise, says political analyst Assoc Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi.
This can be good for the party until it became uncontrollable, he said when contacted yesterday.
“Politics based on strength of individuals with strong personality, if not controlled, can breed two or several camps within a party as in the PRS resulting in its president having to expel his deputy because he could not control him,” said Awang Azman referring to PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing and his deputy Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, who is Selangau incumbent.
Masing told a press conference immediately after the sacking on Sunday night that PRS had formed a special committee which he chaired to decide on the expulsion of rebellious members.
Others sacked are Lubok Antu incumbent Datuk William Nyallau Badak and potential Julau candidate Nyempah Sabot as well as Edward Kurik and Adriana Chumang.
They were found guilty of going against the nomination of new face former corporate legal advisor Rita Sarimah Insol and Sabah chief prosecutor Robert Pasang Alam in Selangau and Lubok Antu respectively as well as the re-nomination of incumbent Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum in Julau.
Entulu had kept mum on his next move , preferring to wait for the announcement of state BN candidates today by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is state BN chairman who will make the announcement at the PBB headquarters in Jalan Bako here.
Awang Azman said: “In Sarawak politics, winnability and personality of candidates are still relevant and there is a good chance for even Joseph Entulu to win as independent candidate because he is more popular compared to the fresh candidate.
“However any fresh state BN candidate can give a sigh of relief when facing the people in any election because he or she has the support of existing party machinery and having strong finances,” he added.
Generally the state BN can still depend on power sharing among parties but the component parties must not be tainted by internal strife and squabbling for positions and power, he stressed.
Internal strife and squabbling for positions and leadership struggle could cause people to get fed up and disenchanted with party and soon after they would look for an alternative party, Awang Azman warned.