PAKAN: The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Wanita chief Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie says she has no plan or ambition to be a candidate in the coming Parliamentary election.
However, she is all for the view that the party should consider fielding at least one woman candidate in any of its six parliamentary seats in the 14th General Election (GE14).
“The candidate should not necessarily be myself as we are not short of very qualified woman candidates in all these constituencies,” she said at the PRS Pakan Division annual general meeting here yesterday.
Doris said she had been receiving countless calls from people who wanted to know if she would contest in the election.
“Everywhere I would go visiting PRS constituencies, people tend to think I am scouting for a seat for myself.
“Unfortunately this is the price I have to pay as a politician. The more active you are in politics the more you are in the public’s radar,” said Doris who is a former deputy president of Dewan Negara.
She said her wanting PRS central leadership to consider having more Dayak woman elected representatives was to reciprocate the roles, dedication and commitment played by them in serving the people alongside the men.
It was reported that PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing had submitted the party’s list of candidates for the GE14 to the chief minister and prime minister.
He had announced the name of the four candidates, namely Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (Julau), Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (Kanowit), Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Hulu Rajang) and Datuk Masir Kujat (Sri Aman), whom he said, had been endorsed by their respective assemblymen.
Masing however had yet to announce the candidates for the two remaining PRS seats, namely Selangau and Lubok Antu.
The incumbent for the Selangau seat is Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, who is the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Department, and Datuk William Nyallau Badak for Lubok Antu.
It was said that Doris would become the candidate for Lubok Antu, while former magistrate Rita Insol would stand in Selangau.
Masing who insisted on having Dayak women elected as members of Parliament on his party’s ticket before his retirement (from politics) however dismissed the matter, saying it was speculative talks. — BERNAMA