Salang said at a dinner in Kuching yesterday that the party’s elders had recommended Sikie as a candidate for the post, Dayak Daily reported.

Sikie confirmed this, saying Salang had expressed support for him taking on the post. “He has openly declared (his support for me taking) the presidency,” he was quoted as saying, with a WhatsApp screenshot shared with the portal.

Salang had previously said at the party’s triennial delegates conference that all party posts would be open for contest.

The report made no mention of Salang’s deputy, Majang Renggi, who is assemblyman for Samalaju, and state deputy minister for infrastructure and port development.

Sikie, who is the assemblyman for Kakus, is a minister in the Sarawak premier’s office.

He is listed by the party as senior vice-president, with four others as vice-presidents: Liwan Lagang, assemblyman for Belaga and state deputy minister of telecommunications; Mong Dagang, the assemblyman for Bukit Begunan; Wilson Ugak Kumbong, MP for Hulu Rajang and federal deputy digital minister; and Aaron Ago Dagang, the MP for Kanowit and federal minister of national unity.