Masing (seated centre) flanked by PRS secretary general Dato Joseph Salang (right) and other supreme council members at the press conference yesterday. — Photo by Muhamad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) intends to request the state government to give it the authority to appoint community leaders in its constituencies under the jurisdiction of Bintulu Development Authority (BDA).
At present community leaders in Murum, Kakus, Samalaju and Belaga which are administered by BDA are appointed by the authority.
PRS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Jemut Masing said he would bring up the issue with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to rectify the situation soon.
“This is a problem to us as it will affect our grassroots politics,” said Masing who is also deputy chief minister after chairing a PRS supreme council meeting at its headquarters yesterday.
He added that he would also bring up with Adenan the possibility of a PRS assemblyman sitting in BDA’s board.
On another note, Masing said the meeting also touched on the party’s stand on Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s private bill (the amendment of the Syariah Courts Act (Criminal Juridiction Act 1955 (Act 355).
According to him, as long as the Bill contravenes the Federal Constitution as agreed in the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, the state Barisan Nasional (BN) will never support it.
“Whether it is called ‘enhancement of punishment’ or whatever name it is called, it will still not be accepted in Sarawak.”
Masing disclosed that Adenan himself had assured him as well as Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and SUPP president Datuk Sim Kui Hian privately before he met Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi recently.