PRS proposes party president Salang to continue late Mutang’s legacy as Senate president

Andy Lawrence

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 14: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has proposed that its president, Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, continue the late Datuk Mutang Tagal’s legacy as Senate president.

In a press release, PRS deputy information chief Andy Lawrence described Mutang’s passing as losing a leader of immense integrity and dedication.

“Due to the exceptional leadership and strong character of the late Datuk Mutang Tagal, who was notably the first member of the Dayak community to be appointed Senate president, finding a suitable replacement will undoubtedly be challenging for our top leaders.

“(Therefore) PRS would like to assist in this important decision by proposing a distinguished candidate from our Gabungan Parti Sarawak GPS coalition, Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum,” he said.

Salang is the appropriate candidate, said Andy, due to his long history of public service and dedication to the people, having served multiple terms as an MP and deputy minister in various federal ministries.

“His leadership in PRS has been marked by a commitment to development, education, and welfare,” he said.

Andy also asked for the support of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, in appointing Salang as Senate president.

“I believe it is much awaited by the Dayak in Sarawak for continuing the legacy of the first Dayak Senate president, Datuk Mutang Tagal,” he said.

Mutang, the first Dayak of Lun Bawang ethnicity to hold the office of Senate president, was only sworn in on Feb 19 this year.

He succeeded Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who stepped down from the post to assume the role of the 8th Sarawak Governor in January.

It was reported that Mutang fell seriously ill during a working trip to Azerbaijan and had to be admitted to a hospital there.

He had to cut his trip short and returned to Malaysia at 1am on Monday (May 6), where he was admitted to IJN for further treatment.

He passed away at 11.46am at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur on May 10. — DayakDaily