Chief Minister Of Sarawak - Another View

I received the following from a Blog reader who is an Iban from Sarawak. This is a different view about the successor to the Chief Ministership of Sarawak. My comments follow.

Dear Syed,

I am an avid follower of your blog. I like the way you put your opinions across. Very straight, sometimes brutally honest and hard hitting. I have become some sort of addicted to your blog! 

I enclose herewith a copy of my facebook posting on sunday (9/2) regarding the possible successor to Taib. On Monday, it attracted nearly 50 comments and more than 30 likes. That is something unusual for me due to the fact that I am using an anonymous account. Among those who commented were ex journalists (2), Columnist (1) and two Sarawak Iban PhD holders. Thereafter, it triggered online awareness and some sort of campaign  for TS Jabu to be elevated to the post, you can see it in many fb pages and posting. 

The reasons...not only is he the most senior but also for his absolute loyalty to the Chief Minister. Without Tan Sri Alfred Jabu's support (head of the Pesaka a.k.a. Dayak wing, the other is Bumiputera Wing headed by Taib, thus the name Pesaka-Bumiputera Bersatu) CM would not have lasted for 33 years.

For your info, I am an Iban, aged 43, mid-level govt officer, staying in a PPRT (low cost house), not a member of any party and well...NONE of those possible successors know me. You may share or reproduce my post if you think it is worth it...or just for your reading pleasure...cheers

Thanks

It's confirmed! Jabu is the new CM, Abg Joe to be his deputy. 

That's my prediction, for PBB's own good. Otherwise, they will be doomed in not too distant future.  First, hierarchy has to be respected as it is to be expected from any organised and structured organisation. 

The man has been a good and humble deputy for more than 3 decades. He was already there when a greenhorn politician by the name of Abg Joe was roped in as a young Assistant Minister. It is an insult to him to be a deputy to a man who is very much junior in terms of experience and seniority in the party and government.

Then, the body language and facial expressions of those so - called contenders, Jabu was seen grinning from ear to ear after the MKT meeting. Adenan left hurriedly. Abg Joe was his usual self so, he must have his slice as well. All these people knew well in advanced as to who gets what, perhaps even before the good Tun was sworn in his last term in December. 

Then it was reported that it was Adenan who proposed the motion and then supported by Abg Joe. This is just another diplomatic ways of doing things. All these were pre-arranged and scripted among the 'Saints of the Saints' in PBB.

At the same time Adenan and Abg Joe have been, willingly or otherwise, checkmated by Taib. As for that Awang fella, I bet the whole Cabinet will resign en block, if not jump from the highest floor of Wisma Bapa tomorrow, If he is to be made the CM.

I have mentioned that It is for the long term benefit and relevance of PBB. The move will certainly appease the Dayaks in and outside PBB as well as BN. Otherwise the Pesaka wing of the party better pack up and go to the nearest cave and make some 'reflections' on your next move. Don't forget to bring along a mirror and tell the moronic figure you see, that he is a useless ball licker, been played around and only part of worthless flower arrangements (Jangan marah saya, wokey, pinjam Datuk Joe Salang's words) and to be dumped once the party is over.

As for the Bumiputra section of the party, they're assured that their interest will be protected. The new CM and his deputy does not have the real power. They are not the ones who call the shots. They cannot simply make any major decisions without the blessings of the Astana across the river. 

The Bumiputra members also can console themselves that a major, record-breaking and jaw dropping history has been created. It is the first time in half a century that a real Malay has become a Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak! Fuyooh......what a feat! Sooner or later he will be there..

Last but not least, it is also seen as some sort of reward for TS Jabu's absolute and rock solid support for the CM through thick and thin for the past decades. Some people say that his loyalty, dedication and adoration to CM second only to Indai Rentap, which I respectfully but vehemently disagree. Has anyone ever heard TS Jabu declare in front of thousands of crowd and in a huge presence of media personnel..YANG DIKASIHI to the good Puan Sri? No. ..

With that, I rest my case..cheers! 

My comments : Well this is another view indeed. I guess there must be support for other people as well. Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang is the Deputy President of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu or PBB. 

Abong Johari has also been in the wings for some time. He is also a Deputy President of the PBB. He will have his supporters as well. 

The Muslims make up less than 25% of the Sarawak population.  Here is a graphic of Sarawak's demographics.

46.2% of the Sarawak population is Christian. Sarawak is the only State in Malaysia which has a majority Christian population. Including the Buddhists and Taoist (Chinese) over 60% of Sarawak's population is non Muslim. 

This means there will be less need for Sunni-Shia conflicts or Sharia Police in Sarawak. 

From my few visits to Kuching, Sibu and Miri in Sarawak I was able to see that the State is extremely peaceful and the people move around minus the tensions that we have in the Peninsula.  Maybe we can learn a thing or two from Sarawak.

Sarawakians are wealthier than Sabahans. While we have tens of thousands of Sabahans looking for entry level jobs in the Klang Valley, I think there are fewer Sarawakians. There are more skilled Sarawakians in the oil and gas industry - not just in Malaysia but now also in the Middle East. 

The State has enjoyed good leadership and stability for the past 33 years.