Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)  gives its six candidates the reassurance that there will no changes to its list for the next elections.

"As far as we are concerned, you are our candidates for the coming general election," said its secretary general Wilfred Nissom.

NONE The candidates are Joseph Salang ( left) for Julau, Joseph Entulu (Selangau), Aaron Dagang (Kanowit), Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Hulu Rajang), William Nyalau (Lubok Antu), and Masir Kujat (Sri Aman).

"We have heard about the rumours," said Nissom, but declined to finger those responsible.

The assurance came in the wake of rumours that the names PRS has submitted to the prime minister would eventually be replaced for their ‘unwinnability'.

Although Nissom refused to name the party, it is public knowledge that the newly registered Sarawak workers Party had been allegedly involved in spreading the rumours while discrediting the PRS candidates as not working to serve the people.

"They are more interested in enriching themselves," alleged SWP leaders during their political talks in the longhouses.

Cut and thrust of politics

Sng Chee Hua, the de facto leader of SWP and its president , Larry Sng, have publicly announced that the party would take only PRS' six candidates.

"We contest to win," said Larry Sng to a reporter. To other BN component parties, SWP would remain friendly.

The Meluan assemblyman Wong Judat, who is now SWP vice-president has been crusading against Salang, demanding that he be dropped as he is an ‘outsider', arrogant and has been neglecting the interest and welfare of Meluan constituents.

NONE "Salang should be replaced by a young and professional local," Judat, ( right )  who in early September resigned from the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party to join SWP and possibly take on Salang.

"If there is no candidate from PRS to replace him, I will offer myself as a candidate," he said to his supporters and longhouse chieftains.

In Selangau, a group of people have been going around saying that Entulu would be replaced as he has been ineffective in solving problems like native customary rights lands, infrastructure development, water and electricity.

Similar moves are being made to discredit Aaron Dagang in Kanowit, Ugak in Hulu Rajang, Nyalau in Lubok Antu and Kujat in Sri Aman.

In Lubok Antu, Nyalau is ‘too old' to continue as MP.

For Sri Aman, Kujat's political enemies have alleged that he had been involved in graft and should not be allowed to defend the seat. Kujat is now suing them for the allegation.

Meanwhile, Salang, who is deputy minister of information, communications and culture, was taken aback at being asked by his supporters if it was true that he would be replaced in the coming polls.

Display of grace under pressure

"That is news to me, because PRS President James Masing has submitted my name to the prime minister for his consideration to defend Julau, which I have represented for three terms.

"I am not sure whether I will be picked up to defend the seat for the fourth term. The final decision is in the hands of the prime minister," he told his supporters at a function at Rumah Dinggai Janting on Saturday.

He said: "Though my name is in the list, if the prime minister has someone else in mind to replace me, I will not hesitate to step aside.

"But for the time being, you regard the rumours as mere rumours," he added.

"There is nothing wrong if you say you want to contest, but you should not say that you have already been picked as a BN candidate," he said, pointing out that such a disgraceful act would confuse the voters.

Asked to elaborate on the rumour, Salang said: "Honestly, I don't know and I do not intend to venture or even guess how it (rumour) came about.

"The only think I heard is that Wong proudly told people upon his return from Kuala Lumpur a month ago that he was quite certain I would be dropped and that he would not contest if I were replaced," he said.