KUCHING: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang has relinquished his post of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president, which he has held since 1974.
This paves the way for Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to step in as acting deputy president.
“I have no hesitation. This is not ‘merajuk’ (feeling slighted) but to pave the way to consolidate, strengthen the mechanism and organisation within the party as well as in the government,” Jabu told reporters after announcing the decision during the PBB supreme council meeting yesterday.
“I am also happy to have served in PBB since 1974 for the sake of Sarawak to achieve political stability while retaining the racial harmony and peace to enable the machinery and policies of the government to be successfully implemented.”
Jabu, who was Deputy Chief Minister from 1976 to 2016, served under three chief ministers – Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
He did not defend the seat of Layar during the last state election, making way for his son Gerald Rentap Jabu.
Jabu pledged to remain in PBB and Barisan Nasional (BN), adding he would be happy to share his knowledge and experience whenever needed.
Meanwhile, Jabu said the appointment of Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg as the state’s sixth Chief Minister on Jan 13 was wise.
“I am confident that he will do well by continuing with the policies and the implementation of going rural as our late chief minister had always wanted,” he said.