KUCHING: The contest for the four vice president posts in the Bumiputera wing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) will see a six-way battle at the party’s 16th triennial general meeting (TGM) this weekend.
PBB election committee chairman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah announced that Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki and deputy minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh are the new challengers for the party’s Bumiputera vice president seats.
They will be contesting against incumbent ministers Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, as well as deputy ministers Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, who are defending their positions.
A ballot draw to determine candidate numbers was held at the party headquarters in Kuching today, marking the official start of the competition.
While the Bumiputera vice president seats will be fiercely contested, the leadership of the Pesaka wing remains unchanged, as its vice president positions were won uncontested by minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, deputy ministers Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, and Datuk Gerawat Gala.
Similarly, the position of senior vice president remains with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi, both of whom are retaining their posts.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan will continue as PBB deputy presidents.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was retained as party president following a unanimous motion by all PBB branches.
Apart from the vice-presidential contest, elections will also take place for committee members of both the Pesaka and Bumiputera wings.
The Pesaka wing will see 19 candidates competing for 14 seats, while the Bumiputera wing has 20 candidates vying for 16 positions.
The PBB Women’s wing leadership remains unchanged, with all top positions won uncontested.
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah was returned as Women’s chief, followed by Datin Seri Angelina Ujang (deputy chief 1), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali (deputy chief 2), Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (vice chief 1), Umang Nangku Jabu (vice chief 2), and Datuk Rubiah Wang (vice chief 3).
Meanwhile, 13 Women’s wing committee members were elected unopposed.
The PBB Youth wing will undergo a leadership transition, with Datuk Martin Ben appointed as Youth chief (Pesaka), replacing Miro Simuh.
Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Allan Siden Gramong were retained as deputy Youth chiefs.
The PBB 16th TGM is scheduled to take place from Feb 14-16 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
