Christopher Gira is the new PRS Youth chief after beating Kennedy Chupkai in the contest for the post

KUCHING,Oct 18 2025: Tamin Sarawak Legislative Member (SLM) Christopher Gira anak Sambang is the new Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) Youth chief after defeating his sole challenger Murum SLM Kennedy Chupkai Udon by 19 votes in the contest for the post.

Christophger Gira anak Sambang replacing Datuk Snowdan Lawan as the new PRS Youth chief
 

 Gira obtained 52 votes against 33 votes secured by Chupkai at the movement’s triennial delegates conference (TDC) today.

With the victory, Gira replaced Balai Ringin SLM and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

The results for all the contested posts were announced this evening.

The post of deputy Youth chief was won uncontested by Surai anak Anthony Abell.

The two vice chiefs were also won uncontested by Andy Sout and Joeblis Mingat.

Roger anak Gingkoi obtained the highest number of votes in the contests for seats in the ordinary executive committee of the movement.

He secured 78 votes among the 15 candidates vying for the 10 seats in the executive committee.

Dr Jawing anak Chunggat came second with 77 votes, third was Omar anak Masam with 72 votes while James Jimbun anak Wan Anji and Herman anak Tohet were each collected 71 votes.

The others elected into the executive committee were Nyireng Saleh (54 votes), Edwin Joel (53), Stenny Wilis anak Jenggi (51), Dr Gavin Man Gima (51) and Herry Chunggat (50).

 

Peter John supports call for fairer and more balanced rural representation in PRS

KUCHING, Oct 18 2025: Social rights activist Peter John Jaban has voiced his strong support on call by outgoing Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Sri Joseph Salang Gadum for a fairer and more balanced representation for the rural community within the party’s leadership structure.

Peter John Jaban: Rural–urban migration among the Iban has become one of the most significant social trends in Sarawak today.

He said the call comes at a crucial time when Sarawak’s rural and semi-urban demographics are undergoing rapid transformation, especially among the Iban population.

“He is right to highlight this issue. Our rural and semi-urban communities are changing fast,” Peter said today, citing as examples areas such as  Merdang Limau,merdang Gayam,Merdang Lumut, Bukit Belian, Sejitin, sebayor and up to Melaban  which were once predominantly Iban rural zones, are now growing rapidly with mixed populations.

“We see many  Chinese and other natives buying homes, new housing estates emerging, and young Iban families moving into these areas,” he said.

He added that rural–urban migration among the Iban has become one of the most significant social trends in Sarawak today.

He said many Ibans from longhouse communities in Kapit, Lubok Antu, Betong, and Sri Aman have moved to semi-urban hubs like Samarahan, Kota Sentosa, Matang, and Serian in search of better jobs, education, and living standards.

“The Iban people are moving  from the longhouse to the township, from subsistence to opportunity,” he said, adding that with this migration comes new challenges.

“We risk losing representation and voice if our political structures do not evolve alongside this reality,” he added.

He further noted that Samarahan is now a microcosm of Sarawak’s future a place where traditional Iban community live side by side with rapidly expanding suburban population.

He said PRS must recognise this reality, stating that the future of the Dayak community is not confined to deep rural areas alone.

“It also lies in these growing semi-urban zones, where Iban professionals, civil servants, and young families are now forming new communities,” he said.

He praised Salang for his inclusive leadership and vision to ensure that PRS continues to represent both the traditional rural heartland and the new suburban frontlines.

“This is not about choosing between rural or urban. It’s about ensuring that every Iban and Dayak voice  whether from a longhouse or a housing estate has equal weight in shaping Sarawak’s political future,” he said.

He urged PRS and other Dayak-based parties to plan long-term strategies that address the needs of rural–urban migrants, including housing, education, and job access, while maintaining their cultural identity.

“Development must follow the people, not the other way around. Our Iban people are moving forward, seeking new opportunities and PRS under Datuk Sri Joseph Salang must move with them,” he said.

Peter also said the coming redelineation exercise on state and parliamentary electoral boundaries in Sarawak by the Election Commission (EC) must improve a rural and urban representations.

He said the redelineation exercise and allocation of seats among component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) must consider improving representations in both the rural and urban areas.

A study on upgrading of native courts in final stage, says premier

KUCHING, Oct 18 2025: A study on upgrading of the native courts, as a part of the efforts to strengthen the native customary laws, is now in its final stage, Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg has said.

Abang Johari: The framework must be thoroughly refined before the operation of the native courts can be fully implemented 

He said a committee is currently reviewing several remaining matters that need to be refined before the full implementation of the upgraded native courts.

“What is important is that there must be reform in accordance with the rule of law. We have also conducted studies on legal frameworks in countries such as New Zealand and Canada, and have sent representatives to develop a legal structure that aligns with what has been practised in those countries.

“This framework must be thoroughly refined before it can be implemented,” he told reporters after officiating at the opening of the 6th triennial delegates conference of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) today.

Earlier his speech, he explained that the effort to upgrade the native courts aims to ensure that issues related to native customary rights (NCR) land can be resolved based on customary principles and laws, rather than solely under civil law.

“Sometimes NCR issues are adjudicated under civil law, and the decisions made do not necessarily align with our customary principles due to the application of civil law.

“Therefore, issues concerning the native communities should ideally be resolved among the natives themselves through a proper and structured approach, so as to prevent any misunderstanding or dispute within the Dayak communities,” he said.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, along with other invited guests.