KUCHING: Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is contesting for the vice president (VP) post in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), is leaving his fate to the delegates.
“I have offered myself and I have received the nominations; but it is up to the delegates to elect the best person during the election at the PBB convention.
“If they feel that I can give my service to the party at the higher level, I would do my very best for the party; but if they feel that others are better, they have the right to elect whoever they want.
“But whoever elected later on, I believe they will give the best for the party and the members,” he told reporters after opening the Chief Minister’s Cup inter-government departments and agencies shooting competition at the police training centre (Pulapol) here yesterday.
Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told reporters this when asked to comment on his VP candidacy in PBB.
According to State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, who is PBB permanent chairman, seven candidates would have to fight for the four VP posts in the party’s Bumiputera wing.
Aside from Abdul Karim, it is learnt that others vying for the Bumiputera VP posts are Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Datu Len Talif Salleh, Dr Annuar Rapaee and Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail.
Asfia said recently that as there were only four Bumiputera VP posts in PBB, the party president would find suitable appointments for the candidates who lost.
Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, when met later, said he believed the PBB delegates are mature enough to pick the best among the nominees of the VP posts.
“For me, if given the chance to become one of the VPs, I would give my very best for the party and the state in the future.
“If not elected, I would give my fullest support to fellow members who win in the election,” he said.
Dr Abdul Rahman, who is also Pantai Damai assemblyman, said he decided to go for one of the VP posts in PBB because he felt it was time for him to render his service to the party at a higher level.