SIBU: Former Julau Member of Parliament Datuk Joseph Salang was unanimously elected as the deputy president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) at the party’s extraordinary delegates conference here late yesterday evening.
Salang replaces former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun who was expelled from the party before the 14th General Election (GE14).
A motion to endorse Salang, who was the former secretary-general, was tabled by vice-president Datuk Wilfred Rata Nissom and moved by PRS Pelagus division member, Ellison Silo, and seconded by Youth Exco member Andy Lawrence.
The conference also witnessed Salang’s former deputy, Datuk Ir Janang Bunsu being elected to the post of secretary-general. The post of assistant secretary-general will be appointed later.
At the party’s 14th anniversary dinner here last night, Salang thanked the party president and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing and the delegates for their confidence and trust in him.
In the PRS polls in Bintulu two years ago, Salang, who was then Julau MP, was defeated by Entulu, who was Selangau MP at that time in the race for the deputy president’s post.
“Two years ago, I contested for the deputy president’s post and lost but I was not disappointed or angry. But this year I lost in the GE14 and lost the parliamentary seat for Julau. I was upset over losing the representation (in parliament) for PRS.
“I know many (members) were saddened by my defeat in GE14 but for me it was an opportunity to look back, at myself and the people around to do the best in the future,” he said. —BERNAMA