KUCHING: All Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) leaders and members must remain focused on ensuring a clean sweep in the next Sarawak state election, instead of vying to be the next president following the sudden demise of Tan Sri James Masing.
Universiti Malaya's Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi said PRS deputy president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum has taken over the party as acting president and he should be leading the party into the 12th Sarawak election.
"I think it has become a party tradition, whenever the president is unavailable, the deputy will take over. Thus, Joseph Salang has automatically become the acting president following the sudden death of his president (Masing) on Sunday," he told New Straits Times.
"However, a party election will need to be held later, to decide whether the president post is open for contest or should there be a consensus that Joseph Salang will (officially) become president. But, that would be after the state election," he said.
With the 12th Sarawak election expected to be held anytime soon, Awang Azman said the party should focus on how to defend all 11 seats, including Baleh, which Masing had defended for eight consecutive terms.
"Everyone in the party must focus on ensuring the party defends all 11 seats and overcome the threats from opposition parties, especially Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Pakatan Harapan. No one should weaken the party by vying to be the next president," he said.
Political Scientist Prof Jayum Jawan of Universiti Putra Malaysia said PRS has lost a credible leader and it would be like 'going to war without a General' for the party in the next state polls.
He said Masing was the shining beacon of the marginalised Dayak and many looked to him as their hope and aspiration for a better future for the Dayak in the state and the country.
"He has left a huge vacuum in PRS – a party he founded and led for nearly two decades (since 2004). I don't see any individual from the party capable of filling his shoes."
Jayum said in-fighting among the young Turks would arise as they manoeuvre against each other to re-position themselves within the party hierarchy.
"So, I commend the deputy president (Joseph Salang) who was quick to consolidate the party by taking charge as an acting president and confirmed that Masing had made all the necessary preparations to face the impending state election before he fell sick," he said.
On the Baleh seat, Jayum said, based on others' experience (whenever an elected representative died), the candidacy will be offered to immediate family members.
"I would be interested if the leadership is sensitive enough to make that offer to Masing's widow Puan Sri Corrine Masing first before making it to others in the event she declines."
"Besides, I understand that Masing has a close nephew who is serving in the state government as a political appointee. His name too has been touted privately to take over the constituency," he added.
Meanwhile, Professor James Chin from the University of Tasmania's Asia Institute opined that the sudden death of Masing will not affect PRS in the next state election, except the Baleh seat.
"The candidate named by the family might not have strong support, especially when Masing had already passed away.
"I also don't expect any big fight in PRS now as everyone knows that the state election is more important. Most likely there would be a few who want to contest but not picked by Masing previously – will be lobbying for a chance to stand in the state polls," he said.
Masing, who was also the Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister died at the Normah Sarawak Medical Centre at 7.05am due to heart complications on Sunday. He was 72.
He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Sarawak General Hospital in September after he tested positive for Covid-19 and was later transferred to the private hospital for follow-up treatment.
In the last state election in 2016, PRS led by Masing won all 11 seats contested and was part of the Sarawak Barisan Nasional before they decided to leave the coalition in 2018 together with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).