Selangau, Julau and Kanowit are three original seats of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) but since its deregistration in 2004, its offshoot Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) is staking a claim for them.

The problem, however, is that PRS has yet to resolve its internal mess and the party now has two presidents and two supreme councils.

The two presidents, Dr James Masing and Larry Sng, both claimed to be the legitimate leader of PRS but until the ROS makes a final decision, their words remain mere claims.

However, that did not deter the factions from staking a claim on former PBDS seats, notably Selangau, Julau and Kanowit, as they started preparing for the general election.

Larry, who is an Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Office and Pelagus state assemblyperson, has been visiting the areas his faction is eyeing in preparation for the coming general election.

Scouting for candidates

His visits were to get to know party members and supporters better at the grassroots level.

It is said that he is also scouting for candidates to represent PRS or to replace incumbents not aligned to him.

According to Bernama, Larry has been focusing on the Selangau parliamentary constituency held by Joseph Entulu, the deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Entulu, a vocal politician, is also Masing's deputy in their rival PRS faction.

Larry recently attended a dinner where a longhouse chief, James Laja, was present with 34 other longhouse chiefs and two senior community leaders in Sibu.

Laja had expressed the hope that there should be new blood from PRS in the coming polls.

Hillary Mukit, a retired senior state administrative officer, is said to be interested in running as he is believed to have enjoyed the backing of more than 600 longhouse headmen in the area.

"If our faction is declared the rightful custodian of PRS, we will take note of Hillary, who incidentally, is our treasurer-general," Larry told Bernama.

In Kanowit, Aaron Dagang is the current incumbent and has become a member of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), another state BN component party.

Aaron was left "partyless" after PBDS was de-registered. He is the nephew of former PBDS stalwart Leo Moggie who had represented Kanowit for more than two decades.

Masing's faction is said to be similarly staking a claim on Aaron's seat, based on the 2006 election decision where the state BN Supreme Council decided to allocate all seats held by the defunct PBDS to PRS as its successor.

Come to naught?

Some observers say that it would have boosted Larry's stature if he managed to entice Julau MP Joseph Salang, the only still "partyless PBDS" remnant, to join his faction.

Salang, as a very experienced politician and founding member of PBDS, is known for his strength on the ground, resources and no-nonsense approach to issues.

As for the mixed Iban, Malay and Orang Ulu constituency of Hulu Rejang, Larry is thinking of fielding an Iban businessman there.

The seat is currently held by four-term incumbent Billy Abit Joo from Masing's faction.

Observers say that it would not be an easy ride for an Iban candidate as the Orang Ulu, who have a sizeable number of voters in the area, still want an Orang Ulu to represent them in Parliament.

However, all these efforts from the two camps in PRS may come to naught if the ROS finally decides to deregister the party, unless a solution is found to the current impasse.