Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz
KUCHING: Only one of the five PBB incumbents rumoured to be dropped by the party in the next state election is willing to comment on the matter, while two have declined to say anything.
The other two could not be reached at press time.
Kalaka assemblyman Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz said he was leaving his political future to PBB president Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, although he (Abdul Wahab) believed that he could still win the seat if re-nominated.
“I leave it up to CM. I am now already in my fifth term. So if I went for another one, it would be my sixth term. I have been winning more than 5,000 votes for four terms and on one term, I won uncontested.
“Whatever decision, it’s up to him. Well, if he (CM) thinks that he needs me, I will give my full support,” he told reporters after the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting was adjourned yesterday.
When told that he was a real gentleman by remaining cool even though some of the questions posed by reporters were very personal and direct, Abdul Wahab smiled and said: “That’s how you have to carry yourself if you want the people to vote for you. And that’s the reason why I have been able to retain my seat for the past five terms.”
He revealed that besides being Assistant Minister of Housing, he had been tasked by PBB as a coordinator to spearhead the party’s machinery in the new constituency of Kabong.
“Even though I have not informed him (Adenan), I also do not want to be seen as too greedy as I have been elected as Kalaka assemblyman for the past 25 years. I am a five-term elected representative and I am 68. So I do not want to be looked at as too greedy. So I will give him the option ‘lah’. It’s not that I am going to resign, even though my popularity remains strong.
“So I am taking the initiative to let him decide for me as he is my president. But if he doesn’t trust me, would he appoint me as the party’s coordinator for Kabong, in addition to looking after Kalaka?”
Abdul Wahab was a district officer for 20 years and held various other senior government posts prior to joining politics in 1987. He lost in the election that year against former state secretary Yusuf Puteh, but captured it in the following polls in 1991. He holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Kent University, UK.
Another incumbent who was rumoured to be dropped is Tupong assemblyman Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman.
When approached, he said he could not comment as he was still recovering from stroke which occurred three months ago.
Just like Daud, Machan assemblyman Datuk Gramong Juna — also Assistant Minister of Land Development and Assistant Minster of Tourism (Local Events and Promotions) — declined to comment on his position as well.
When asked for comments, PBB deputy president Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg remained tight-lipped, having only said that Adenan would make the announcement in due time.
On Sunday, Adenan announced that PBB would field 10 new faces in the next state election — five for the new seats and five to replace incumbents who had expressed their desire to retire.