Azizul to replace mum in Tg Datu

Abg Jo confirms Jamilah won’t defend seat, son to take over

... with the support from the grassroots and the party and most especially the rakyat here, I will be able to continue providing services to the constituents.

Azizul Annuar Adenan

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will field a new candidate in the Tanjong Datu seat, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg confirmed yesterday.

The GPS chairman said the coalition’s choice for the seat is Azizul Annuar Adenan, the son of incumbent Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu and former chief minister the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.

“We work together to continue the vision of Adenan for this area when he became the elected representative, to become the hub of tourism in the southern region.

“While Datuk Amar Jamilah has expressed her desire to step down, it is only appropriate we give way to (Jamilah and Adenan’s) son to continue the vision. He is well prepared, talented, and he also has the character like his father,” Abang Johari told a press conference in reference to Azizul.

Earlier in his speech for the official launching of Centexs Lundu, Abang Johari announced Jamilah had decided to step down.

“She has trained her son, so maybe he will be someone we will introduce as one of the youths who can be involved in the development of the state,” he said.

Abang Johari pointed out leaders come and go, so Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) culture has always been to train new people.

“In our party we develop young new leaders to continue our efforts. Just like when we were young, we were given the exposure on how to govern, politics, and so on.

“In the coming election too, we will introduce young new people who will be involved in the development of the state. Those with potential, we train them for the future. It is our culture in PBB and also in GPS,” he said.

Jamilah has served as Tanjong Datu assemblywoman since 2017, when she defended the seat in a by-election necessitated by Adenan’s sudden demise.

As she was still observing the ‘edah’ (mourning) period as stipulated in Islam, she was unable to leave her home during campaigning.

As such, it was actually Azizul and their family members who helped to campaign for her.

She polled 6,573 votes to defeat Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru’s Rapelson Richard Hamit who received 130 votes, and State Reform Party’s Johnny Bob Aput who managed 108 votes, for a clear majority of 6,443 votes.

Meanwhile, when approached by reporters after the event, Azizul, 31, thanked Abang Johari for accepting his mother’s decision not to seek re-election and for entrusting him with the Tanjong Datu candidacy.

“I don’t dare to give any comment yet but if entrusted with it, I will go around the area like what I’ve been doing since becoming the (PBB Tanjong Datu) Youth chief here, and continue to provide services to the people in Tanjong Datu.

“I don’t want to sound too confident but I believe with the support from the grassroots and the party and most especially the rakyat here, I will be able to continue providing services to the constituents,” he said.