University of Tasmania’s James Chin says the federal works minister wouldn’t focus on state politics if a state Cabinet post isn’t in the offing.
James Chin of the University of Tasmania did not see this development as reflecting any change of guard in GPS or Nanta calling time on his political career, especially since he held great seniority and political heritage in Sarawak politics.
“Dont forget that he’s the grandson of the late Jugah Barieng, who was among the founders of the party Pesaka before it became a wing in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“So his family will always have a key role to play in PBB and GPS,” Chin told FMT.
Chin believes that this is more of Nanta, who is federal works minister, wanting to play a more important role at the state level.
“In other words, he’s after a state government post. He’s already a federal minister, so there’s no reason for him to go (for a state seat) if he doesn’t get a state Cabinet post.”
Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi agreed and pointed out that Nanta would be following the pathway of Sarawak deputy premier and PBB deputy president Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah had helmed the federal natural resources and plantation ministries from 2008 to 2016 before focusing on state politics, taking on various portfolios in the state Cabinet and serving as deputy premier or deputy chief minister since 2016.
“I see it as more of Nanta wanting to ‘return’ to state politics (and be appointed to a state ministership),” Awang Azman said.
“The fact that he’s still open to playing a role at the state level shows that he may be simply entering a new phase of political service, going from the federal level to the Sarawak level.”
Last Saturday, Nanta indicated that he may not defend his Kapit parliamentary seat in the next general election after six terms, instead expressing interest in going for a state seat in the next Sarawak polls.
Nanta, who is secretary-general for both GPS and PBB, said it was time to pass the baton at the federal level to younger leaders in the party. He turns 68 in June and is among the more prominent non-Muslim leaders in PBB.
Chance for GPS to showcase next generation of leaders
Awang Azman said Nanta’s announcement gives GPS a good chance to put forth a fresh face who would go on to be among the coalition’s next generation of leaders, as the start of a leadership rejuvenation process.
He said this would showcase that GPS is not dependent on senior leaders alone but is capable of birthing capable, young leaders who could both serve and govern.
“One challenge is ensuring this does not lead to a diminishing in Dayak leaders. It should instead be a rearranging of sorts, so that a fresh, technocratic Dayak leader with strong grassroots presence can come to the fore,” he said.
However, Chin said this would be merely symbolic, pointing out that PBB has been touting leadership rejuvenation for more than a decade now, but the old guard continues to call the shots.
Both pundits said retaining Kapit would likely be an easy feat for GPS, but Awang Azman emphasised that it was a crucial Dayak seat for the coalition.
“It symbolises the Dayak interior areas and the voice of the Iban-Orang Ulu community in Sarawak politics, with issues like rural development, longhouse networks, road access, dams and native customary land being key matters to the community,” he said.
Nanta first won the Kapit parliamentary seat in 1999, winning with a majority of over 11,000 votes. After being reelected unopposed in 2004 and 2008, he retained the seat in the 2013 and 2018 general elections with slimmer majorities.
He then won the seat with his widest margin yet in the 2022 general election, securing a sixth term with a 12,402-vote majority.
Nanta has never held a state seat. - FMT
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