NOMINATION CLOSED: Asfia (foreground) accompanied by (from left) Aidel, Talip, Awang Bemee and Robert heading to the press conference following the closing of nomination for the party’s main body at its headquarters yesterday. —Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The forthcoming 13th PBB Convention will only see contest in the Bumputera wing for the vice-president posts and ordinary Supreme Council member posts.
There is no jostling in the Pesaka wing for positions in the main body of the party, said 13th PBB Convention election committee chairman Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar yesterday.
The Bumiputera wing has three vice-president posts, but six nominations were received when nomination closed at 5pm yesterday.
The six candidates are incumbents Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad and Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz, who will be challenged by Datuk Talip Zulpilip, Datuk Julaihi Narawi and Datuk Bolhassan Di.
The Pesaka wing has two vice-president posts, and only two nominations were received. The nominations were for Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong and Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, who will replace Senator Lihan Jok.
PBB, the backbone of the state Barisan Nasional (BN) has a total of seven vice-president slots. The remaining two are filled by Datuk Fadillah Yusof and Dato Sri Empiang Jabu by virtue of them being Youth and Wanita chiefs.
Both of them were returned to their respective posts unopposed.
The Bumiputera wing of the PBB has 11 posts for ordinary Supreme Council members, and the number of nominations received was 14.
The candidates are Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Datu Len Talif Salleh, Dato Sri Mohamad Ali Mahmud, Ahmad Lai Bujang, Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Murni Suhaili, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Ricky @ Mohammad Razi Sitam, Dato Idris Buang, Datuk Aidan Wing, Akit Sebli, Zainulabidin @ Zainal Ismail and Pandi Suhaili.
The quota for the Pesaka wing is nine ordinary Supreme Council member posts, and the number of nominations received was also nine. They are Datuk Gramong Juna, Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit, Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan, Michael Mujah Lihan, Maclaine Ben @ Martin Ben, Watson Bangau Jonathan Renang and Daniel Jubang Kanyan, who is former deputy Youth chief.
“There is no contest for the Pesaka wing. They have a neat and clear line-up which seems to be well organised and structured,” said Asfia.
Asfia, who is also PBB permanent chairman, said party president Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, deputy presidents Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, senior vice-presidents Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas won unopposed.
“The appointed posts in the supreme council are its permanent chairman, secretary-general, deputy secretary-general and not more than five assistant secretary-general, treasurer, assistant treasurer, information chief, assistant information chief and not more than 11 ordinary members.”
The casting of lots will take place tomorrow at the party headquarters at 11am. The election of the main body will take place on Oct 21.
The convention, to be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from Oct 18 to 22, will kick off with the general meetings for the Youth and Wanita movements.
Prime Minister cum Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to grace the opening ceremony on Oct 21.
Also present at the press conference yesterday were committee deputy chairman Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, secretary Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Amang Ghazali and members Aidel Lariwoo and Robert Lawson Chuat.