BN chooses Adenan's widow to defend seat
KUCHING: As highly speculated, the widow of the late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, 62, has been named as the BN candidate for the Tanjong Datu by-election.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg at a packed news conference in PBB headquarters here yesterday.
“After lengthy discussions with both PBB and also the state BN component parties top leadership, we have decided that the candidate to represent BN in the Tanjong Datu by-election is Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, the widow of the late chief minister,” revealed Abang Johari.
Present at the press conference were deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also PBB acting deputy president, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing who is PRS president, SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Khui Hian, PBB acting deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, PBB vice president Dato Sri Michael Manyin, PBB secretary general Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi and other top party leaders.
He reiterated that Jamilah's candidacy was based not only on her being the wife of the late chief minster but also because she is already well-known in Tanjung Datu and well-liked by the constituents.
“She has known the people at the grassroots level very well ever since Tok Nan was the state assemblyman of Tanjung Datu after the seat was created in 2006. She has been known by the people of Muara Tuang as well as Sadong Jaya when her late husband was the assemblyman of Muara Tuang and MP of Batang Sadong respectively,” he said.
Abang Johari expressed confidence that Jamilah would be able to carry on the legacy of her late husband and would be able to serve the people of Tanjung Datu well, as she frequently went to the ground when her late husband was busy performing his tasks as the chief minister.
“I am confident that the support given to Tok Nan will also be given to her. And her candidacy has been unanimously accepted by top PBB and top BN leadership including being endorsed by the BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” he reiterated.
The Chief Minister also revealed that the party had consulted the grassroots leaders and that they consented with her candidacy.
“As she is still observing the mourning period of her late husband, we will do the campaign for her. But she will be present during Nomination Day on Feb 4,” said the chief minister.
Jamilah has been actively involved in many NGOs including as the former chairman of Sabati, and has a diploma in Secretarial Science from UiTM.
The seat fell vacant following the demise of Adenan on Jan 11 at the Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan. He was 72.
In the last state election in May last year, Adenan defeated PKR candidate Jazolkipli Numan with a majority of 5,892 votes. He polled 6,360 votes against Jozolfipli's 468 votes.
The late chief minister had been the assemblyman of Tanjong Datu since 2006. Before that he was the elected representative of Muara Tuang for many terms. He was also a one-term MP for Sadong Jaya from 2004-2008.
The Election Commission has fixed Feb 4 as Nomination Day and Feb 18 as Polling Day while early voting will be held on Feb 12.
Jamilah who was not present at the press conference could not be reached for comments at press time.