Two analysts have named incumbent Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah as a frontrunner for one of four vice-presidents’ posts up for grabs in the Bumiputera wing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya and University of Tasmania’s James Chin also named Ibrahim Baki as a contender given his long service with the party.
Karim is the state’s tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister.
Satok assemblyman Ibrahim, a former Petronas board member, has over 30 years of experience in the corporate sector and an extensive legal background.
Awang Azman said that, apart from Karim, Julaihi Narawi is also well-positioned to retain his position as vice-president. Julaihi is the state’s utility and telecommunication minister.
“Their strong leadership within the party will be their greatest advantage,” he told FMT.
Recently, PBB election committee chief Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah said incumbents Karim, Julaihi, Dr Annuar Rapaee, and Abdul Rahman Junaidi will defend their seats, with state deputy minister Len Talif Salleh and Ibrahim also vying for a spot.
Awang Azman picked Annuar as the likely winner of the third slot due to his active involvement in education and innovation.
He expects the last slot to be filled by either Abdul Rahman or Len Talif.
However, Awang Azman also named Ibrahim as a contender, given that he is a respected and trusted figure who has been with the party for over 40 years and serves as its deputy secretary-general.
“If the premier (Abang Johari) signals support for Ibrahim in this election, it will significantly boost his chances of a major victory,” he said.
Chin suggested that while the contest appears competitive on paper, in reality, it is more of a structured arrangement.
“They always divide up candidates between the Bumiputera wing and the Pesaka wing, and there is always some sort of consensus before the so-called competition takes place,” he said.
PBB, the dominant party in Sarawak’s ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, consists of a Bumiputera wing and a Pesaka wing for Dayaks.
The party has a total of nine vice-presidents.
Apart from the four seats in the Bumiputera wing, three positions are allocated to the Pesaka wing, while the remaining two are reserved for the heads of the women’s and youth wings.
The elections of the four vice presidents is expected to take place during this year’s PBB Convention which runs from today until Sunday (Feb 14-16). - FMT
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