The four new vice-presidents, from left, Abdul Karim, Abdul Rahman, Julaihi and Dr Annuar, raise their hands together after the announcement of the result. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi is now among the four vice-presidents (VPs) of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) representing the Bumiputera section of the party.
Julaihi, who is Sebuyau assemblyman, garnered 770 votes in the election yesterday — the highest among all.
The other three PBB vice-presidents are Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, who obtained 764 votes, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (719 votes) and Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (698 votes).
The four VPs are serving the PBB supreme council for the 2017-2020 term.
The result was announced by the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar who is also PBB election commission chairman, at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) which hosted the partys 14th convention.
Met by reporters later, Julaihi said his win represented the victory for those from the rural areas, believing that it was the reason why many voted for him.
He said with the new mandate given to him by the party, he would strive to help PBB move forward and serve the people of Sarawak.
“No matter what the result is today, we will always work as a team. I am, however, grateful for the support given to me by the party members, who voted for me,” he added.
For Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, he was glad that he elected PBB vice-president in his first attempt.
“Although I did not have proper machinery, I was confident about making it into the list. I also knew that I would not have the majority of the votes; nevertheless, Im happy with the result,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Rahman conveyed his thanks to PBB for the mandate, hoping for the party to continue working as a family.
“What is also important for all the new PBB vice-presidents is for them to be able to help party president, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in empowering the digital economy (mission) and working together as a formidable team,” said Dr Abdul Rahman, who is Pantai Damai assemblyman.
Dr Annuar, who is Nangka assemblyman, commented that it was a neck-to-neck race.
The other candidates for the VP posts namely Minister in Chief Ministers Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip; Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh; and Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, lost the election.
PBB only held the election for vice-president posts (Bumiputera quota) — the posts of president, deputy presidents and two senior VPs were not contested.
Abang Johari remains as PBB president, while deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan are the deputy presidents.
The two senior vice-presidents are federal Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.
In the party’s Bumiputera section, the executive committee (exco) members are Dato Ahmad Ibrahim, Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang, Abdul Yakub Arbi, Razi Sitam, Razaili Gapor, Awla Dris, Dr Hazland Abg Hipni, Yussibnosh Balo, Simoi Peri, Ripin Lamat, Dato Juanda Jaya, Awangku Jinal Abedin Pengiran Jawa, Pandi Suhaili, Zainulabidin Ismail, Buang Bolhassan, and Hadar Khan Asghar Khan.
The posts under the Pesaka quota across all levels of PBB were uncontested.
The vice presidents are Deputy DUN Speaker Dato Gerawat Gala, Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, and Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
The exco members from Pesaka are Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit, Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan, John Ilus, Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Dato Robert Laing Anyie, Daniel Jubang Kanyan, Mikai Mandau, Hajis Japar Labaw, Richard Tawan Sedu, Michael Mujah Lihan, Paulus Dandee Banyang, Asiang Gihep and John Nyigor.