Spooked Sarawak chief may contest elsewhere
Tony ThienPublished: Apr 17, 2001 10:36 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, the main target of the opposition's vilification in the run-up to this year's state elections, is widely expected to seek his party colleagues' views on a request for him to move from Asajaya to the Balingian state constituency during the Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) supreme council meeting this weekend.
Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, the main target of the opposition's vilification in the run-up to this year's state elections, is widely expected to seek his party colleagues' views on a request for him to move from Asajaya to the Balingian state constituency during the Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) supreme council meeting this weekend.
The meeting, the first for this year, will be held at PBB's headquarters in Jalan Bako on the northern bank of Kuching City, this Saturday. Being the party's president, Taib will chair the meeting.
PBB is the backbone of the ruling four-member state coalition. It consists of the two wings - Malay/Melanau and Dayak (including Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu). Its two deputy presidents are Abang Johari Tun Openg (a Malay) and Alfred Jabu anak Numpang (an Iban).
It is learnt that although there is nothing in the notice of agenda to indicate this, the expectation is that election issues are mostly likely to come up under the last item "Any other business".
One party insider told malaysiakini that he expects Taib to seek his colleagues' views about the requests from several of PBB's elected assemblymen in the Lower Rejang area to move away from his original seat in Asajaya to a new constituency.
In recent days, talk of that happening has been gaining new credibility. Not only has one of the assemblymen offered to step down in favour of Taib but the happenings on the ground in Mukah - a town near Sibu - seem to indicate that Taib has more or less decided on doing just that.
Melanau stronghold
"It is more or less certain that Taib will contest in Balingian. Taib himself has indicated as much in Mukah within the last few days during the Pesta Kaul celebrations," said a party insider.
Balingian is a PBB's Melanau stronghold. And since 1970, after the introduction of direct state elections, the party has won the seat without difficulty.
The present incumbent is Abdul Ajis Wahab, who has reasoned that his health does not permit him to carry on. He feels that Taib will be the best to contest there in order to bring more economic development to the predominantly Melanau areas in the Lower Rejang in central Sarawak.
But his critics say Taib is worried about losing in Asajaya near Kuching after what appears to be a groundswell of support for his political nemesis Abang Abu Bakar who is also his defeated deputy president and former defence minister.
Taib's worry, is the large postal votes (about 4,000) which went to the opposition Keadilan candidate in the last parliamentary elections two years ago. Asajaya state constituency has about 13,000 voters, largely Malays, and a 75 percent turnout will mean a 10,000 voter turnout.
If Abang Abu Bakar can garnered most of the postal votes which are from military and police personnel and secure another thousand plus or more, he could beat his BN opponent whoever it may be.
"Taib is unlikely to take such a risk. The bottom line is about winning and Balingian is among the safest of all PBB seats," said a political observer.
Violent politics
Two nights ago, at a PBB women's wing function, Taib admitted the forthcoming state election is going to be the most challenging for him and the BN.
He blamed this on what he called the new style of politics by the opposition, claiming that they are now resorting to the use of street demonstrations and violence.
Umno women's wing leader Rafidah Aziz who was present at the function, went one step further in saying that opposition leaders from Keadilan and PAS should be stopped from coming to Sarawak to try and ferment trouble.
The state government is empowered by the constitution to bar outsiders, including Malaysians from other states, from entering Sarawak. But it is unlikely that it will resort to this for fear of political repercussions.
However, the parties concerned do not have to turn to such measures. Malaysiakini understands that as it is, opposition parties - Keadilan, PAS and DAP - are complaining that it is difficult for them to obtain police permits for their gatherings.
Tacit support
On the other hand, the opposition appears to be perplexed at the ease of which the Abang Abu Bakar camp obtains its permits.
Malaysiakini was told by one of Abang Abu Bakar's confidants that a permit has been issued by the police for a gathering of about 10,000 people at Kampung Tembirat near Asajaya this Saturday.
Last week, the former defence minister's camp was given a permit to hold a gathering at Jalan Haji Taha last week.
"This shows that Abang Abu Bakar is either viewed as a lesser threat or has the tacit support of some top federal boys," one opposition politician commented.
The meeting, the first for this year, will be held at PBB's headquarters in Jalan Bako on the northern bank of Kuching City, this Saturday. Being the party's president, Taib will chair the meeting.
PBB is the backbone of the ruling four-member state coalition. It consists of the two wings - Malay/Melanau and Dayak (including Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu). Its two deputy presidents are Abang Johari Tun Openg (a Malay) and Alfred Jabu anak Numpang (an Iban).
It is learnt that although there is nothing in the notice of agenda to indicate this, the expectation is that election issues are mostly likely to come up under the last item "Any other business".
One party insider told malaysiakini that he expects Taib to seek his colleagues' views about the requests from several of PBB's elected assemblymen in the Lower Rejang area to move away from his original seat in Asajaya to a new constituency.
In recent days, talk of that happening has been gaining new credibility. Not only has one of the assemblymen offered to step down in favour of Taib but the happenings on the ground in Mukah - a town near Sibu - seem to indicate that Taib has more or less decided on doing just that.
Melanau stronghold
"It is more or less certain that Taib will contest in Balingian. Taib himself has indicated as much in Mukah within the last few days during the Pesta Kaul celebrations," said a party insider.
Balingian is a PBB's Melanau stronghold. And since 1970, after the introduction of direct state elections, the party has won the seat without difficulty.
The present incumbent is Abdul Ajis Wahab, who has reasoned that his health does not permit him to carry on. He feels that Taib will be the best to contest there in order to bring more economic development to the predominantly Melanau areas in the Lower Rejang in central Sarawak.
But his critics say Taib is worried about losing in Asajaya near Kuching after what appears to be a groundswell of support for his political nemesis Abang Abu Bakar who is also his defeated deputy president and former defence minister.
Taib's worry, is the large postal votes (about 4,000) which went to the opposition Keadilan candidate in the last parliamentary elections two years ago. Asajaya state constituency has about 13,000 voters, largely Malays, and a 75 percent turnout will mean a 10,000 voter turnout.
If Abang Abu Bakar can garnered most of the postal votes which are from military and police personnel and secure another thousand plus or more, he could beat his BN opponent whoever it may be.
"Taib is unlikely to take such a risk. The bottom line is about winning and Balingian is among the safest of all PBB seats," said a political observer.
Violent politics
Two nights ago, at a PBB women's wing function, Taib admitted the forthcoming state election is going to be the most challenging for him and the BN.
He blamed this on what he called the new style of politics by the opposition, claiming that they are now resorting to the use of street demonstrations and violence.
Umno women's wing leader Rafidah Aziz who was present at the function, went one step further in saying that opposition leaders from Keadilan and PAS should be stopped from coming to Sarawak to try and ferment trouble.
The state government is empowered by the constitution to bar outsiders, including Malaysians from other states, from entering Sarawak. But it is unlikely that it will resort to this for fear of political repercussions.
However, the parties concerned do not have to turn to such measures. Malaysiakini understands that as it is, opposition parties - Keadilan, PAS and DAP - are complaining that it is difficult for them to obtain police permits for their gatherings.
Tacit support
On the other hand, the opposition appears to be perplexed at the ease of which the Abang Abu Bakar camp obtains its permits.
Malaysiakini was told by one of Abang Abu Bakar's confidants that a permit has been issued by the police for a gathering of about 10,000 people at Kampung Tembirat near Asajaya this Saturday.
Last week, the former defence minister's camp was given a permit to hold a gathering at Jalan Haji Taha last week.
"This shows that Abang Abu Bakar is either viewed as a lesser threat or has the tacit support of some top federal boys," one opposition politician commented.
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