Jabu the pillar of PBB — Chief Minister
KUCHING: Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang was the pillar of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB), said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this when paying tribute to the Dayak leader during the official launch of the book ‘Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang – Dedication and Loyalty Beyond Compare’ that cited Jabu as a ‘national asset’.
Abang Johari, who is PBB president, said Jabu was among those instrumental in stabilising PBB after the intense leadership quarrel in 1987 between the then Chief Minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and the then Head of State and former Chief Minister, the late Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya’akub which led to the infamous 1987 political upheaval called the Ming Court Affair resulting in the Taibled group overcoming Rahman’s in the 1987 snap state election.
When most Dayak leaders left PBB to join Rahman’s new party Sarawak Malaysian People’s Association ( Permas), Jabu and several others stayed behind in PBB and remained loyal to party president Taib, said Abang Johari when recalling that part of Sarawak’s history at a hotel here on Tuesday night.
Another reason why PBB is strong is because Jabu, despite being the leader of a dominant race in terms of numbers, was not envious of the number one post in PBB and state government, he said, adding that this act of loyalty has become the culture in PBB till today.
“He is the perfect Number Two. He never aspires to be Number One” said Abang Johari, borrowing a quotable quote of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Chief Minister explained that Jabu’s attitude on leadership had enabled Taib to enjoy stability in the party and also powerful enough to helm the state government in ensuring the smooth running of government
He is the perfect Number Two. He never aspires to be Number One.
programmes and policies, including Taib’s famous ‘Politics of Development’ agenda.
Despite numerous notable feats that Jabu had taken in his political career, the most famous one was being a ‘giant killer’ when he succeeded in toppling the late Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan ( Sarawak’s first Chief Minister and Sarawak National Party ( SNAP) president) during the 1974 state election in Layar, his hometown.
Jabu would always be remembered as an elected representative with the people at heart, instrumental in transforming social, economic, agriculture and infrastructure in the rural areas.
Jabu would also be remembered as the minister and elected representative that succeeded in changing the nomadic mindset of the Penan, in particular, to enjoy and participate in mainstream development, said Abang Johari.
The book, authored by Rokiah Talib and published by UKM Press, is not to be missed by those who need some historical facts of events and also by those who need to learn about useful leadership qualities among other things, humility, loyalty to party and passion to serve the people, said Abang Johari.
Jabu was Deputy Chief Minister for over 40 years, a record that would be impossible to beat, he added.
In his early life he was a government officer serving in several parts of Sarawak, particularly when it was under the threat of communist insurgents and very backward.
When the late Rahman was chief minister, he saw the potential in Jabu and took him into politics in 1974 under PBB. Jabu was appointed as deputy chief minister at the young age of 34, and held important portfolios like Minister for Land and Mineral Resources, among others.
When Taib took over the Chief Minister’s post in March 1981 until February 2014, Jabu remained as the deputy. Even after Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem took over Taib’s post in February 2014, Jabu was still the deputy until his retirement in May 2016.
According to Rokiah: “Jabu jived in very well with Taib as his Chief Minister, be it the implementation of Social Development Policy, The New Vision or whatever. Jabu is the leader on the ground to galvanise and lead the young officers and community leaders and together, they transformed the rural communities.”
“Jabu’s style of ‘ Turun Padang’ (meeting the people) with minimum ceremonies is another plus point for him as far as the ordinary people are concerned. He does not carry with him the air or the protocol of his stature. That endears him to the common people because there was no official or ceremonial barrier between the leader and the people. He truly symbolises ‘ Pemimpin Berjiwa Rakyat’ spirit ( leader with the people at heart),” she said.
Jabu is best known for uplifting the livelihood of the rural poor, especially through Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority ( Salcra), a land development authority synonymous with him, said Rokiah.
“Jabu is not the usual politician who is always about power. Instead he used power bestowed on him as Deputy Chief Minister to help those who need his help. He is a leader who created more leaders – be they politicians or civil servants with the single purpose to serve the people,” she said.
Quoting Taib, Rokiah said: “Jabu is very loyal. He is the Number Two but he is always very polite, obliging, a serious worker. He is less of a politician.”
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister