S’wak CM automatically PBB president

KUCHING: The post of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president is unique as it is tied up with the post of the Chief Minister of Sarawak, and as such, it will not be contested by other PBB members in the upcoming Triennial General Assembly (Convention), says its permanent chairman Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar.

He said by virtue of the fact that he is the Chief Minister of Sarawak, the PBB president post cannot be contested.

He said this when met at PBB headquarters after chairing the party's election committee meeting yesterday.

He also said the post of Chief Minister of Sarawak is appointed by the governor of Sarawak under the State Constitution.

“The Governor shall appoint the Chief Minister of Sarawak from among the members of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) who, in his judgement is likely to command the majority in the Dewan.

“And upon such appointment, the president of PBB is automatically appointed as the Chief Minister and his position cannot be challenged.”

On a related issue, Asfia reiterated that party president and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has requested, and duly agreed upon by the supreme council members that the posts of two deputy presidents, and the Wanita and Pemuda chiefs shall not be contested in the upcoming convention which is scheduled to be held on Feb 8-11.

When asked whether the party will allow its members to contest for the deputy presidents' post, Asfia quipped, “We will cross the bridge when we come to it”.

On the suggestion by two grassroots leaders from Miri for the posts of two senior vicepresidents post be scrapped, Asfia said his committee was waiting if there are request from other members for such call.

“We are waiting for any development. If there is a momentum from the members, the constitutional committee will take it up, make a draft and present it to the president and the MKT for them to approve whether it could be brought in to the general assembly.

“The amendment of the party constitution can be done under Article 34, if it's agreed. This will be debated and discussed in the convention.

“We are waiting for a reaction; how many branches will support the proposal. At the same time, we do not prevent the possibility that this will be raised further by grassroots leaders,” said Asfia, referring to the proposal made by Piasau and Pujut branch chairmen, Councillor Sardon Zainal and Abu Bakar Amit respectively.

On a related issue, the post of the secretary-general would be filled up by a member from the Pesaka wing as the president of the party comes from the Bumiputera wing.

“The post of the secretarygeneral is an appointed post. If the president of the party comes from Bumiputera, it is an understanding that the secretary-general comes from the Pesaka no matter how able and competent a member from the Bumiputera wing may be.

“They (Pesaka members) are our brothers and sisters. It is understood. We will not take it away,” said Asfia.