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.

 

Sarawak moving in correct direction determined by GPS government, says premier

KUCHING, Oct 18 2025: Sarawak is moving in a correct direction that is determined by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg.

Abang Johari: In Sarawak, we give more emphasis to the development of the people and less politicking. We want to protect our rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 

“Just like the global positioning system, what we really need is just a coordinate so that our direction is correct because we must protect our way to determine our direction,” he said at the opening of the Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) triennial delegates conference  (TDC) today.

“This is our way, through Sarawak First spirit,” Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman, said.

The premier, however, said he views political stability in the country as important, explaining that it is for this reason that GPS has been giving its support to whoever commanded the majority support in Parliament to be the prime minister of Malaysia, from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said he wants a political stability in the country and a strong federal government and less politicking.

“In Sarawak, we give more emphasis to the development of the people and less politicking. We want to protect our rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.

Abang Johari also reminded all the component parties of GPS to remain united, adding:”You know very well that there are certain people want to divide and rule us over the years.”

The premier praised Datuk Sri Joseph Salang Gandum for voluntarily stepping down as PRS president to allow a new person to take over.

He said he himself has to step down as the premier when the time comes.

He said he is growing old that is something he cannot avoid.

He said GPS component parties have to groom younger leaders to take over their places.

Among those present at the opening of the TDC were leaders of the GPS component parties.

 

 

 

PRS wants more, but smaller rural constituencies to facilitate smoother delivery of projects

KUCHING, Oct 18 2025: Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) outgoing president Datuk Sri Joseph Salang Gandum has suggested for the creation of more, but smaller rural Dayak constituencies to facilitate smoother delivery of projects and dissemination of ideas that can help in the struggle to reduce incidence of poverty .

Joseph Salang: Currently some rural seats are very large and have larger numbers of voters than some sub-urban constituencies 

He said PRS, like other component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), seeks more equitable ethnic representation in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA).

“We can not leave the process of constituency mapping to the Election Commission (EC) alone.

“Currently some rural seats are very large and have larger numbers of voters than some sub-urban constituencies,” Salang said his address, his last, at the party’s triennial delegates conference (TDC) today.

He also urged Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg to personally intervent to address this nagging issue will be one of his greatest legacies.

He also expressed his concern which he said needs to be addressed is that politics and hence decision making is getting more gravitated in the hands of a few who control the pulse string.

He said elections are becoming too expensive, adding that “We need to have a serious look at political funding mechanism by the government and possibly even undertake electoral reform.”

He said Sarawak can suggest steps to the federal government to initiate actions to find resolution to this problem.

On the 6^th TDC, Salang said it is the occasion when party members elect new supreme council which will lead the party for the next three years.

“Tomorrow we shall have new president after the votes are counted. I urge that we all help him carry his duties as I have enjoyed the undivided support of the outgoing supreme council.

“I plead with all the delegates for the main body to exercise your voting right seriously .

“All candidates are known to you and your choice well make what PRS you want, and one that remains a friendly component of GPS”, he said.