Open contest to rejuvenate party

KUCHING: The Youth Exco of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has unanimously agreed to an open contest for all party positions in the upcoming Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) scheduled for next year.

The decision was made during the Exco’s meeting on Friday (Oct 25).

PRS Youth Exco member and Youth Publicity Chief Audie Samuel Lawen said that an open contest would allow grassroots members to choose credible leaders and ensure the party’s relevance beyond being a mere component of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Audie revealed that PRS Youth Chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan had also shared this sentiment during the Supreme Council meeting today (Oct 27).

“PRS Youth Exco concurs with our Youth Chief’s recent statement, ‘Tradition kills democracy,'” he said in a statement.

He added that there’s a growing perception at the grassroots and state levels that PRS has become complacent and has lost its dynamism.

“This perception is a stark contrast to the party’s past, when it was a strong voice for rural people under the leadership of the late Tan Sri James Jemut Masing,” said Audie.

“History has shown that a lack of democratic principles, such as open elections in a TDC, can lead to a party’s decline.

“While the party’s momentum remains intact, the upcoming TDC will be a crucial event for the Supreme Council to rejuvenate PRS and ensure its continued relevance,” he added.