By Lian Cheng and Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Feb 16: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bumiputera wing vice president candidate Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah acknowledges his defeat and prepares his exit from the Sarawak Cabinet should that be the wish of Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Putting party interest first, he said he did not want to “make things difficult” for the Premier who is PBB president.
“Well I see the Cabinet appointment as the prerogative of the Premier. Of course, probably his appointment in the Cabinet, are based on the positions in the party, probably. But that is his prerogative.
“Whether it will affect or not (Abdul Karim’s position in the Cabinet), I will need to discuss with him because if the delegates had already make their decisions, I will not make things difficult for him.
“Probably, I will have to sit down with him and see if there is a need for him to look into other possibilities (such as) the reshuffling of cabinet and things like that. I am prepared to let go because nobody is bigger than the party. And the party has already decided,” said Abdul Karim who is holding dual portfolios of Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) as well as as Minister of Youth and Sports.
He stressed that the delegates had made their decision and he had to respect that.
“There must be a reason for it. It does not mean that when I lost, I will get upset. I am still the same, I am very happy that the rest goes very well.
“We have to respect the process of democracy as well as who the delegates have voted in,” said Abdul Karim when met by the media at 16th PBB Triennial Delegates Conference held at BCCK here today.
Abdul Karim was one of the contestants defending the vice-presidential role of the Bumiputera wing within the party but trailed behind in the race with 669 votes.
When asked if he would be included in the existing appointed posts, Abdul Karim remarked that it depends on Abang Johari’s decision.
“That (inclusion in existing appointed posts), I can’t see the future because a lot of the prerogatives are that of the Premier. If he decides to appoint anyone for certain posts.
“We see from then on, we cannot predict until that stage,” he said.
Abdul Karim said that there are no new posts within the constitution apart from the already existing positions. Should there be any new posts to be created, a bill must be tabled beforehand and approved.
He later extended his thanks to the delegates who supported him in the VP election. –DayakDaily
