Commentary: PRS delegates voted for continuity and orderly leadership transition at the recent TDC

The recent triennial delegates conference (TDC)  of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) showed that the majority of the delegates overwhelmingly voted for continuity and an orderly leadership transition.

"When the result of the presidential election was declared,  Sikie was announced as the winner and the third president since the party was formed in 2004."
 

 As widely expected, Datuk John Sikie Tayai, formerly senior vice president, was elected as the new president while Ulu Rajang Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong was automatically elevated to senior vice president by virtue of him having secured the highest number of votes among the vice presidential candidates.

Under the party constitution, the vice president candidate who obtains the highest number of votes automatically becomes the senior vice president.

Sikie, the Minister in the Premier’s Department and a former school teacher, defeated Pelagus state legislative member (SLM) Wilson Nyabong Ijang in a straight fight.

Nyabong, an ordinary supreme council member, had gone into the fray, hoping that he could be the next party president.

When the result of the presidential election was declared,  Sikie was announced as the winner and the third president since the party was formed in 2004.

The majority of the delegates voted for Sikie because of his seniority in the party, meaning that they voted based on party’s hierarchy.  

Samalaju SLM and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggie retained his post as deputy president through no contest after his sole challenger Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Balai Ringin SLM, pulled out a few days before the TDC.

Snowdan, the deputy minister of tourism, creative industry and performing arts, cited giving priority to party unity and stability as the reason for his withdrawal.

There was only one surprise in the contest for the five vice presidents. Senator Rita Sarimah Insol provided that one surprise by winning one of the vice presidents.

Political analysts suggested that Rita secured the support of the delegates because they wanted to see a woman, with a strong legal background, to be elected as a vice president.

As a qualified lawyer, she has shown herself to be a woman with a strong leadership quality.

Former president Datuk Sri Joseph Salang, in his final speech at the TDC, had said the delegates should vote for more women into high positions on the party.

The incumbents who retained their positions as vice presidents are Datuk Liwan Lagang (Belaga SLM), Datuk Mong Dagang (Bukit Begunan SLM) and Datuk Sri Aaron Ago Dagang (Kanowit MP)

Two other candidates failed to unseat the incumbents.

There were little changes in the line-up for the ordinary supreme council members.

Among the 15 ordinary supreme council members, two are women, namely Susan Clement Ingun and Roseline Neging.

Tamin SLM, Christopher Gira Sambang, an engineer by training, is the new Youth chief.

He is seen as the right man for the post - a position that is seen as an important platform to groom him to go higher in the party’s hierarchy.

Sri Aman MP Datuk Sri Doris Brodie, dubbed by the media as an iron lady of PRS, remained as the Women chief without contest.

 

 

Abang Johari:We'll explore ways to extend financial support to Sarawakian students studying in public universities

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 2025: The Sarawak government is actively exploring ways to extend financial support to Sarawakian students in federal public universities, as it recognises that its upcoming Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will not cover them.

Abang Johari: PTPTN model ruled out as it will burden graduates with debt 

Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said that state government has ruled out using a loan-based system like the PTPTN  (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) because it does not want to burden graduates with debt.

“The goal is to find a new and suitable way to provide assistance,” he said at the town hall session held in conjunction with Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak in Putrajaya today.

“We will look for the best suitable option,” he assured.

He said he has received feedback from Sarawakian students studying in public universities who have asked the state government to look into their situation since they will not be covered by the free tertiary education initiative.

However, he said the state government will continue allocating RM1,200 yearly pocket money to these students to help them buy food items.

He added he will announce “other initiatives” for the students when he tables the state budget 2026 in the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) at the end of next month.

He said the state government does not have any say in how the public universities are being run by the Higher Education Ministry.

Abang Johari said he is aware that many students are unhappy that they are given a course that they did not apply  for by Unit Pengambilan Universiti (UPU).

He added the state government’s jurisdiction only covers state-owned University Technology Sarawak, I-CATS University College, Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University of Technology and Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak.

The townshall session, attended by Sarawakians studying and working in Malaya, was moderated by Sri Aman MP and PRS Women head Datuk Sri Doris Brodie.

All those present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, deputy premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and federal and state ministers from Sarawak.