Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said today that Masing, with his leadership, had left behind a PRS that has become strong and well-managed.

“The late deputy chief minister (Masing) successfully brought up many good leaders in PRS and with his passing, there will be a new president (capable of replacing him),” he told reporters after presenting incentives to national Paralympic athletes Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and Jong Yee Khie at a ceremony here today.

Masing died at a private medical centre here on Sunday. He was 72.

Abdul Karim said Masing was a firm and focused leader, who always spoke out to defend Sarawak and its people’s rights and welfare, including the native customary rights issue.

“I have never heard him raise his voice, but he was firm in getting his opinions across on  any issue. He was a true son of Sarawak who was very committed to the state and he always championed Sarawak’s rights,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) convention, scheduled for Nov 7 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), has been cancelled on the advice of the health ministry over concerns that it might lead to Covid-19 infections due to the high number of delegates.

He said GPS would comply with the ministry’s instructions and it showed that GPS prioritised the welfare and safety of Sarawakians.

GPS, founded in 2018, is a coalition of four local Sarawak parties – PBB, PRS, Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) – that has ruled the state since the last state election in 2016.