by Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Feb 15: Unofficial results show that challengers Datuk Ibrahim Baki and Datuk Len Talif manage to emerge victorious in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bumiputera wing vice presidential contest, ousting incumbents Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Two other contenders, incumbents Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi and Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee managed to defend the position and continue to be vice president of the party.
Ibrahim polled the highest votes of 910 while Julaihi, the second with 900 votes. Dr Annuar raked the third by polling 788 votes and Len, 687.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim garnered 669 votes while Dr Abdul Rahman 546 votes.
The contest for the four vice presidential posts has been one of the highlights during 16th PBB Triennial General Meeting or PBB Convention as it involved the contest between two cabinet ministers, three deputy ministers and a heavyweight backbencher.
The two Cabinet ministers are Abdul Karim who is the the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts and Julaihi, who is the Minister of Utilities and Telecommunication while the three deputy ministers are Dr Annuar (Education and Innovation), Dr Abdul Rahman (Utilities and Communication) and Len (Natural Resources and Urban Development).
Ibrahim is the only candidate who is neither a minister nor deputy minister, who however, garnered most support.
There are nine VP posts in PBB, with two set aside for the Youth and Women chiefs, three for the Pesaka wing, and four for the Bumiputera wing. — DayakDaily
