Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), a state Barisan Nasional component party, is very keen on its Julau parliamentary incumbent Joseph Salang to defend the seat for his fourth term in the coming 13th general election.

Its president, Dr James Jemut Masing said this was because Salang “always has his heart and soul in serving the constituency and is on the ground almost every weekend.”

“In addition, Salang is a very good leader, is sincere and  has always delivered,” he told reporters after attending a meet-the-people session at longhouse Rh Lima anak Guang in Sungai Ridan, Ulu Entaih in Pakan near Sarikei today.

“The issue, manipulated by the opposition that he is not a local and thus should be replaced, is absolutely very petty.

“But then what is the point of having a local but who cannot perform? Salang, who has represented the area over the last three terms, has proven himself to be a most capable and respected leader,” he said.

“To further illustrate this point further, he is also a member of the federal cabinet being the deputy information, communication and culture minister,” he added.

“PRS has complete faith in him to once again deliver the seat for the Barisan Nasional. And we want to deliver all our six seats as well,” he said.

Salang is expected to be challenged by Meluan state assemblyperson Wong anak Judat, formerly from the Sarawak Progress Democratic Party(SPDP), another state Barisan Nasional component party who has left it to join an oppoistion party, the Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP).

Salang, in his speech earlier, said it was not the practice of the Barisan Nasional to lie to the people on development projects.

“Such projects will take time to implement due to financial constraints of the government and given the fact that the state (Sarawak) is a very big one.

“But sooner of later, it will deliver what it has promised,” he said.

- Bernama