Nyalau strikes the gong to launch the PRS Layar division recently in the presence of other PRS leaders including Will (fourth left), Majang (fifth right) and Snowdan (sixth right).
KUCHING: PRS hopes that the setting up of its Layar division will further strengthen the BN machinery in the area to face the next state election, said PRS supreme council member Dr Richard Will Uban.
Will added that other component parties in the area should be thankful to PRS for spreading its wings there as it would strengthen, not undermine them.
“With the inception of PRS Layar Division, we hope to play a greater role in strengthening the BN machinery in Layar, especially the Betong area. It will augur well (for BN) as we will be working together with other BN component parties such as PBB, SPDP and SUPP,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He disclosed that PRS Layar division, headed by Cr Edward Augustine, was formalised during a launching ceremony recently at Dewan Tan Sri Ningkan in Betong, where some 600 members attended.
Will, who was co-organiser of the ceremony, also explained that other component parties were invited to the function but the presence of some local opposition figures caught the organising committee by surprise, as their unexpected presence could be misinterpreted and possibly cause some controversy and misunderstanding.
“Members of the opposition were seen joining the function unexpectedly and according to Cr Edward, many more opposition members have voiced their interest in joining BN, especially in conjunction with our membership drive.
“We hope to provide a venue for those who would like to join our party with the objective of strengthening BN as a whole,” Will reiterated.
Will, who is also political secretary to the chief minister, said the newly formed Layar division was launched by PRS vice-president and Lubok Antu MP Datuk William Nyalau Badak.
Among those who attended the function were Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan, political secretary to the chief minister and co-organiser Majang Renggie as well as PRS Wanita and PRS Pemuda exco members.
Meanwhile, Nyalau commended the efforts of the organising committee and hoped that PRS would grow healthily, advising its members to cooperate with other component parties to further strengthen the coalition, especially in Betong.
“The presence of PRS division in Layar/Betong should be appreciated as we, in PRS, appreciated the presence of other BN component parties, especially PBB units in Baleh and Selangau over the years,” he said.