Masing: Unity among BN components less than satisfactory

KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said the degree of unity of state Barisan Nasional ( BN) component parties was less than satisfactory, causing PRS to lose three of its six seats.

The performance of the state BN in the May 9 election was the worst ever with opposition parties like Democratic Action Party ( DAP) winning six seats, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (four) and Independent (two).

Masing said the disunity of the state BN in PRS seats was glaring in Lubok Antu, Julau and Selangau.

In Lubok Antu, BN- PRS candidate Robert Pasang Alam lost to independent Jugah Muyang by a majority of 1,059 votes. In Julau, incumbent MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, who is also PRS secretary- general, lost to independent Larry Sng by a majority of 1,931 votes.

PRS also failed to retain Selangau when its first ever woman candidate Rita Sarimah Insol lost to state PKR chairman Baru Bian by a slim majority of 486 votes.

“I feel there was no sincerity and genuine display of solidarity among the BN components, particularly in Lubok Antu and Selangau. However the Peninsular Malaysia fever also contributed to the loss of BN-PRS in Selangau,” he said.

Masing, who is also deputy chief minister, said PRS would conduct a post- mortem in the near future.

He was, however, happy to note that BN- PRS managed to secure victory in three other seats of Hulu Rajang, Sri Aman and Kanowit through incumbents Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Datuk Masir Kujat and Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, respectively.