By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Feb 11: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice presidential candidate, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, has expressed that the upcoming contest for vice-presidential posts reflects the vibrant democracy within the party.
He emphasized that the contest is a “family affair” within the broader PBB family, where all candidates have contributed significantly to the party’s development and to Sarawak’s progress.
“This is a big family within PBB, and just as in the past, this contest for vice-presidential positions is a family matter.
“PBB is a democratic party, meaning democracy is alive and well here. It doesn’t matter which position you hold; what matters most is that this is a contest within the PBB family,” Julaihi said when speaking to the media after the drawing of candidate numbers at the PBB headquarters today.
He further noted that such contest offers an opportunity for members to assess their leaders based on their achievements and their engagement with the grassroots.
The PBB 16th Triennial General Meeting (TGM) or PBB Convention 2025 will take place at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from February 14 to 16.
A key highlight of this convention will be the race for four vice-president (VP) posts in the Bumiputera wing. The competition will feature two cabinet ministers, three deputy ministers, and one influential backbencher.
The two cabinet ministers defending their vice-presidential posts are the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Julaihi, who is the Minister of Utilities and Telecommunication.
The two defending deputy ministers are Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee (Education and Innovation) and Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (Utilities and Communication), while Datuk Len Talif, a deputy minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, is a challenger.
Backbencher assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki, though not a minister or deputy minister, is considered a strong contender. A lawyer by training, Ibrahim currently serves as the party’s deputy secretary-general and chief whip, in addition to being a successful corporate figure.
PBB has nine vice-presidential positions, with two reserved for the Youth and Women chiefs, three for the Pesaka wing, and four for the Bumiputera wing. — DayakDaily
