Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Joseph Salang is unperturbed that he may have to lock horns with Wong anak Judat, the former Meluan BN state assemblyman and a likely candidate of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), if he is re-nominated to defend his Julau parliamentary seat in the next general election.      

"I am very ready if my party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), recommends that I should defend it and the decision is endorsed by the state and federal BN leaders," he told a unity night gathering and pre-Merdeka celebration of BN component parties at the community hall in Pakan near Sarikei last night.      

The gathering was organised by the Putera and Puteri wings led by Tony Chen and Barbara William Mawan, respectively, of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), a state BN component party.    

Wong, a three-term state assemblyman, had last month resigned from the SPDP and applied to join a new state opposition party, the Sarawak Workers Party (SWP).        

Due to a personal fallout with Salang, Wong had all the while said he would contest against him if Salang were re-nominated to defend the seat for a fourth term.          

Salang said his was an unfinished struggle for the people in this Dayak-majority rural constituency which is the size of Negeri Sembilan and known particularly for its pepper and, soon, oil palm and rubber products.      

"I am quite overwhelmed with all those pledges of support given. Let us all stay united to deliver Julau to the BN again. Julau still needs a lot of development and transformation for a better future for our children," he said.      

He also advised youth members of BN component parties to learn to be grateful for any favour or assistance given and achievements made and to always remain humble.      

"People will judge us by our actions and words which will affect others. Whatever we do or say will either be remembered fondly or with contempt and hatred," he said.      

Barbara and Chen, when met later, said SPDP youths would do their part in ensuring the victory of all BN candidates in the next election.     

- Bernama