By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 17: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has dismissed claims of a power struggle between Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, asserting that the party remains united under a culture of deep respect and discipline.
Responding to a recent Free Malaysia Today (FMT) report speculating on an alleged rivalry for the Sarawak premiership, Abdul Karim said such talk is unfounded and does not reflect the reality within PBB.
“As far as I know, from being a member of the party as well as in the Supreme Council, I don’t see there is any rivalry.
“There is always respect for the leader—the one who is higher than you in the Sarawak political hierarchy. That’s how I’ve noticed it all these years,” he told reporters when met at Baitul Makmur II building here today.
Abang Johari is the president of PBB, while Awang Tengah is one of the deputy presidents alongside Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Abdul Karim pointed out that unlike in other political environments, Sarawak’s political culture, particularly within PBB, upholds the tradition of supporting the top leadership until the time comes for a proper transition.
“I can’t comment about other regions. In other places, sometimes those who are at the bottom want to jolok-jolok (prod or provoke) to push the ones at the top to fall.
“But it does not happen in Sarawak. We have a very deep culture of letting the top leader be in charge until such time when he feels that he needs to step down. Then they will look for whoever is going to replace him. That’s what I see,” he added.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, highlighted that even during candidate selection for elections, PBB members have shown maturity and discipline in accepting party decisions.
Unlike in some political parties, internal disputes often arise when long-serving leaders refuse to step aside, and upon being dropped, may even turn against their own party.
“We know this is one of the big problems in elections normally. Those who have been there for many years refuse to let go. And when let go, they go against you, support the other side,” he said.
He emphasised that such behaviour has never been part of PBB’s culture.
“I don’t know about the other components in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), but I know that’s not in PBB,” he said, adding that speculation of internal rifts is likely the work of those with ulterior motives attempting to stir unrest.
“All these speculations, all these rumours, I believe, are just rumours from those who have other motives—mahu jolok sana, jolok sini (trying to poke here and there),” he concluded.
Earlier today (July 17), FMT reported that a quiet leadership contest is said to be brewing in Sarawak, as factions aligned with Premier Abang Johari and his deputy Awang Tengah begin positioning themselves ahead of a potential battle that could shape the State’s future direction. – DayakDaily
