By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Feb 18: Datuk Len Talif Salleh has clarified that his contesting in the vice presidential race at the recently concluded 16th Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Triennial Delegates’ Conference is not him making a grab for ministerial positions, but because he wants to serve the party and help build young leaders.
Len, who is among the newly elected PBB vice presidents, said that he will continue to carry out his duties as the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, as well as his other existing ones.
“The election result will not change the way I work but will further enhance my efforts to serve and for Sarawak,” he said during a press conference at his office today.
Len said with his background and experience due to him being involved in various departments and agencies as well as politics over the years, he wants to utilise it to help build young leaders and strengthen Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s agenda to prepare a platform for youths to take over one day.
Touching on his win in the party election, Len expressed his appreciation to everyone involved. He also extended his congratulations to newcomer Datuk Ibrahim Baki for obtaining the highest number of votes, securing him a spot in the four vice presidential posts in the party’s Bumiputera wing, as well as to Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi and Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee who retained their posts.
To Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi—both of whom failed to defend their posts—Len encouraged them to continue their fight in the party and in carrying out their respective ministerial duties.
In the 16th PBB Convention which took place from Feb 14-16 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), the race for the four vice presential posts saw six contenders—incumbents Abdul Karim, Dr Abdul Rahman, Julaihi, and Dr Annuar—and two new faces, who are Len and Ibrahim.
While Julaihi and Dr Annuar managed to retain their posts with 900 and 788 votes respectively, Abdul Karim and Dr Abdul Rahman fell short with 669 and 546 votes, respectively.
Heavyweight backbencher Ibrahim ended up with the most votes (910), while Len secured 687 votes—allowing both to take their places alongside Julaihi and Dr Annuar as vice presidents in PBB’s Bumiputera wing.
Abdul Karim acknowledged his defeat and was ready to step down from his ministerial posts should Abang Johari wish it, but the Premier gave his assurance that the former would retain his place in the Sarawak Cabinet and that there would be no reshuffling. — DayakDaily
